/ 4 September 2001

ROGUE LION SHOT AFTER 6 WEEKS ON THE RUN

A ROGUE Mpumalanga lion’s month-long bid for “a better life” has ended after foresters shot the young male near Barberton. The lion led conservation trackers on a wild chase for over one month since escaping from either the Kruger National Park or Mthethomusha Game Reserve near White River on July 21. The lion travelled an estimated 200km during the chase, startling motorists on the N4 toll-road near Nelspruit twice, scaring people at a White River municipal dump and killing at least two cows on farms near the Mpumalanga capital Nelspruit. The lion managed to evade traps and parks board trackers, but was finally gunned down by Sappi officials near Barberton on Thursday night. – African Eye News Service