Lion roaming near Ladybrand
28/05/2007 14:06 - (SA)


Johannesburg - The search for a lion continued two days after it got out of a game farm in the Ladybrand area, Free State Police said on Monday.

Spokesperson Superintendent Motarafi Ntepe said police were alerted when the lion was first spotted by herders on the Klein Kilmarnock farm on Saturday at around 16:00.

The owner of the Caledonia Lion's Den, Dean Summerton and nature conservation official Tom Mostert had been searching for the lion.

"There are three farms in the area, and it is not certain which farm the lion escaped from," said Summerton.

He added that all farmed lions were micro-chipped and he used a scanner to track the predator, but had not picked up signals as yet.

"I found pieces of the lion's mane in the surrounding mountainous area, and have also found tracks."

Summerton said according to what he had found, the lion seemed to be going in different directions.

"Locals have also seen the lion, but don't appear to be afraid."

He said that once spotted, the lion will be shot with a sedative and returned to the rightful farm.

Police appealed to residents to be on alert and urged anyone with information to contact Superintendent Iben Khuto on 082-455-6129 or Mostert on 082-533-5550.