Corrupt Randburg magistrate handed 15 years behind bars
Local
Sylvester the lion to be put down once captured
The animal managed to escape from the Karoo National Park once again on Monday.
CAPE TOWN - Sylvester the lion is still on the run and will be put down once he's captured.
Last night, SANParks tweeted that it had taken the decision based on a number of factors:
#UpdateOnSylvester: 1. Strong winds and tough terrain meant rangers weren't able to catch up to Sylvester today. Cont...
- SANParks (@SANParks) March 29, 2016
#UpdateOnSylvester: 2. The helicopter called in to assist from PE needed to return&staff will go out again first thing tomorrow morning...
- SANParks (@SANParks) March 29, 2016
#UpdateOnSylvester: 3. in search for him. The decision taken earlier today to put him down was not taken lightly by SANParks management.
- SANParks (@SANParks) March 29, 2016
#UpdateOnSylvester: 4. A number of factors were taken into consideration, the overriding one being the threat he poses to human life.
- SANParks (@SANParks) March 29, 2016
The animal managed to escape from the Karoo National Park yet again on Monday for a second time in under a year.
Sylvester was on the loose for three weeks last year.
The big cat probably broke out by crawling under an electric fence after heavy rains dislodged earth over the weekend, SANParks' Fairuz Ludick said.
"We realised early yesterday morning when they checked all the satellite tracking collars that he had escaped. We are awaiting a helicopter to begin an aerial search."
Ludick said they have a team who are trying to track the animal.
"We've got a veterinarian on board, and should they get an opportunity to dart Sylvester, they will do so and bring him back to the park."
The likelihood of him encountering a human being is slim but Ludick urged people not to approach Sylvester should they see him.
"It's the very same lion that escaped last year. I think we should change his name to Houdini."
Last June, the animal went on a sheep killing spree, wandering 300 kms before he was found taking a nap by rangers and airlifted from the Nuweveld Mountains, 1,750 metres above sea level.
"We anticipate this operation will be a lot quicker because he is wearing a tracking collar."
Additional reporting by Reuters.
More in Local
-
Corrupt Randburg magistrate handed 15 years behind bars
-
Mapisa-Nqakula says SANDF VVIP fleet grounded
-
Deloitte to continue as Steinhoff’s external auditors
-
Mossel Bay Grade 5 pupil killed in accident at school
-
Ramaphosa: We'll have further engagements over Mahikeng situation
-
Man studies, great-grandma 'graduates' from UKZN
Comments
EWN welcomes all comments that are constructive, contribute to discussions in a meaningful manner and take stories forward.
comments powered by DisqusHowever, we will NOT condone the following:
- Racism (including offensive comments based on ethnicity and nationality)
- Sexism
- Homophobia
- Religious intolerance
- Cyber bullying
- Hate speech
- Derogatory language
- Comments inciting violence.
We ask that your comments remain relevant to the articles they appear on and do not include general banter or conversation as this dilutes the effectiveness of the comments section.
We strive to make the EWN community a safe and welcoming space for all.
EWN reserves the right to: 1) remove any comments that do not follow the above guidelines; and, 2) ban users who repeatedly infringe the rules.
Should you find any comments upsetting or offensive you can also flag them and we will assess it against our guidelines.
EWN is constantly reviewing its comments policy in order to create an environment conducive to constructive conversations.