Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has issued an urgent warning to communities in the Gluckstadt area of northern KwaZulu-Natal following confirmed sightings of lions in the region. Residents are being urged to remain vigilant and report any further sightings immediately to local traditional leadership or the nearest police station to ensure both human and livestock safety.
Spokesperson for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, Musa Mntambo, confirmed that three separate lion sightings have recently been reported in the Gluckstadt area, which falls under the AbaQulusi Municipality. These sightings were specifically in areas overseen by Inkosi Zondo and Inkosi Zulu. Alongside these reports, three cattle have been found dead, suspected to have been attacked by lions, further raising concerns about the security of the local communities.
Mntambo emphasized that these incidents underline the need for caution, as the presence of lions poses a potential threat to both the safety of residents and their livestock. “The recent killings of cattle and the confirmed lion sightings have sparked significant concern. It’s crucial that residents take extra precautions, particularly in safeguarding their animals,” Mntambo said.
A longstanding challenge in the area, according to Mntambo, is the common practice among livestock owners of leaving their animals unattended in open grazing fields, sometimes for extended periods. This practice leaves the animals vulnerable, especially at night when predators, including lions, tend to be more active.
In response, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is advising all livestock owners to ensure their animals are securely enclosed overnight to reduce the risk of predation. “We urge everyone to bring their livestock into safe, enclosed areas during the night, when lions are most likely to be active. Taking this simple precaution could help protect both animals and the local community,” Mntambo stressed.
In the wake of the recent incidents, two teams from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife were deployed to the area on Friday evening. The teams, one of which included a private professional hunter, initiated a lion call-up—a method used to try and locate the animals through sound. The call-up, which began around 7 p.m. and continued into the early hours of the morning, did not result in any immediate sightings.
On Saturday, the teams, with additional support, planned to continue their search, this time using a helicopter to better track the lions in the dense bush surrounding the area. Mntambo noted that the search for the lions, which resumed early on Sunday, was still ongoing, and it remains uncertain where the lions may have come from. “We are hopeful that we will be able to gather more information once we can locate the lions,” he added.
As of now, the origin of the lions remains a mystery. The situation will become clearer once the lions are found, though authorities continue to monitor the situation carefully.
This cautionary effort comes amid ongoing discussions about human-wildlife interaction in the region. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is also reviewing strategies to help prevent further incidents in the future. In the meantime, community members are urged to remain alert, report sightings promptly, and take the necessary steps to safeguard their livelihoods and homes from wildlife risks.
While the situation remains dynamic, Mntambo assured the community that efforts to manage the presence of the lions in the area were being taken seriously. “Our teams are working tirelessly to assess the situation and ensure the safety of all parties involved, both human and animal,” he concluded.
