MPUMALANGAs renegade lion almost caused a pile-up on the N4 highway just outside the provincial capital Nelspruit on Monday night when it dashed across the busy road. Shaken motorists called the local radio station from the scene, describing how the young male lion casually loped across the double-carriage motorway at 8pm before disappearing into orange orchards on Croc Valley Estate. Mpumalanga Parks Board (MPB) rangers rushed to the scene and followed the lions spoor deep into the orchards before loosing the track in long grass. The elusive lion is believed to have escaped from either the Kruger National Park or Mthethomusha Game Reserve two weeks ago. It has led MPB rangers on a 40km chase after it was first spotted crossing the main White River / Hazyview road on July 21. The lion is only reported to have attacked commercial livestock once, when it killed a cow on a farm near White River. Sutter appealed for anyone who spotted it to immediately alert district ranger Louw Steyn on mobile 083 626 6792. African Eye News Service
Tuesday July 31, 2001