Efforts were underway on Thursday by South African rangers to capture a group of elephants that broke free from a game reserve and ventured into a rural area, announced wildlife authorities.
Around ten tusked elephants were spotted by a helicopter as authorities attempted to guide them back to the eastern wildlife park from which they escaped overnight.
Musa Mntambo, spokesperson for Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, a government body overseeing wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal province, stated that rangers aimed to secure all the wandering elephants within the boundaries of the Ithala reserve by Friday.
The cause of the escape remains unclear, although Mntambo mentioned that animals sometimes traverse a river bordering the game reserve. He also highlighted challenges faced by parks in the region due to incidents of locals and poachers tampering with perimeter fences, causing breaches in security.
Mntambo mentioned instances where individuals have illegally accessed the park by cutting or stealing sections of the fence, leaving it open upon departure. This negligent act has resulted in occasional animal escapes before authorities could respond.
The incident echoes a previous occurrence when six lions had to be euthanized after fleeing from the nearby Hluhluwe game reserve and causing disturbances by attacking livestock and instilling fear among local residents.
Authorities urged community members to report fence-cutting incidents promptly, emphasizing the risks these breaches pose to both finances and the safety of nearby residents who may encounter these wandering wild animals.
