Rietvlei Lions found Dead

[Richprins]

Lions found dead at Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Centurion

October 13, 2017


Two lions at the Rietvlei Nature Reserve in Centurion were found dead by staff members on Tuesday afternoon.

The Tshwane metro said in a statement it is saddened by the deaths of two lionesses at the reserve.

According to the statement, the first lioness was found dead at around 13:30 during a lion tour.

The lioness had blood on its nose and evidence suggested possible poisoning.

The reserve staff decided to move the remaining lions to safety. It was then that they realised that the other lioness, named Serabi, was also missing.

Serabi was found dead at around 18:00 near the fence in the north-eastern corner of their enclosure, along with two dead crows.

The statement said the police’s stock theft unit conducted an investigation on site and discovered pieces of meat with white granules on it.

The bodies of the two lionesses and the piece of meat were taken to Onderstepoort veterinary services for examination.

A case of possible poisoning was opened.

The remaining four lions – two males and two females – are now kept in a smaller enclosure to ensure their safety.

The lion tours have been suspended until further notice.

Autopsy reports on the cause of death of the lions are still awaited.

Chairperson of the Friends of Rietvlei Nature Reserve Kobus Engelbrecht said he is very upset and disappointed by the events.

This organisation has been assisting management and staff at the reserve for over 23 years.

Engelbrecht said the organisation spends a lot of time at the reserve helping to make sure the animals are safe.

“We spend a lot of time, money and resources to maintain a safe environment for the animals.”

He said once the causes of death are determined, new security measures will be put in place.

Engelbrecht said the lions are kept separate from the other animals in a 200-hectare radius.

“These lions are not tame, but they’re not wild either. These are lions that were taken away from people that were not supposed to have them.”

He said the lions were between four and five years old.

Engelbrecht asked the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour around the Rietvlei nature reserve.

https://rekordcenturion.co.za/129254/li ... centurion/

[Flutterby]

[Lisbeth]

Why would someone poison lions Rietvlei is so small that the lions are found before anyone can approach them, if the poisoning was done for muthi.

[Flutterby]

I also don't understand it Lis!

[Mel]

[nan]