Confusion over escaped lions
Confusion reigns over the exact number of lions which escaped from the Kruger National Park.
South African National Parks (SANParks) now says they don't know how many lions they are dealing with.
"I cannot confirm whether there are five animals who escaped or not," says SANParks' Ike Phaahla.
Phaahla retracted an earlier statement, in which they claimed that four of five lions were recaptured.
Phaahla says the operation to find and capture the lions is ongoing.
"Earlier, three lions were spotted. The latest we have is that one of them has been darted. We don't know if it's down yet, it's being observed."
Phaahla says reports indicate that there are three animals in a small enclosure at a private farm near the N4 and R571.
"Not five as earlier reported, but we can't deny that there are five animals," says Phaahla.
Meanwhile, SANParks' Rey Thakhuli is urging residents in the area to be careful.
"We urge people to refrain from taking photographs of these animals as they are dangerous predators… and believed to have already killed a cow," says Thakhuli.
Investigations are underway to determine how the lions managed to leave the park.
SANParks reiterates the police call for residents to be extra vigilant and report any sighting of these dangerous predators to the authorities on 0800 10111, 076 801 9679 or 013 735 0197.