Durban -- THE Ulundi Municipality has warned its residents to be careful when walking in town at night and in the early hours of the morning as the lions that escaped from the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park are on the loose in the area.
In a statement, the municipality said in the early hours of Tuesday morning, two lions were spotted by a road user crossing the road next to Intibane Lodge along the R66.
A search was conducted in the vicinity using the HiP helicopter but the lions were not found.
“Only the tracks were found inside Intibane lodge and Sweet Home Bush Camp.”
The municipality said a cow was found dead was appeared to have been killed by the lions.
“The meat was still fresh and according to the experts it looks like it was attacked during the night or early in the morning.”
It said a search will continue on Wednesday using trained dogs and residents had been informed of the danger.
The municipality warned residents not to walk at night or in the early hours in the vicinity of “Ulundi 19” until it was declared safe to do so.
Earlier this month it was reported that four animals escaped from the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park including two rhinos – by damaging a fence -- and two lions – through a gully near a railway line -- with one lion having since been destroyed after it killed four cows.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife spokesperson Musa Mntambo said at the time that one rhino was recaptured.
Ezemvelo have been approached for an update.