North West residents have been warned to be on the alert after a lioness escaped from her cage while in transit on the back of a bakkie on Wednesday morning.
It is understood that two lions were being transported from the Landabush Game farm to another game farm in Tlakgameng and the owner realised that one animal had escaped when he stopped on the road to check on them.
The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) spokesperson Jerry Matebesi confirmed to Newsnote that a search mission has been launched.
“The rescue mission that involves a chopper is set to continue today and the communities around Stella, Tlakgameng, and Setlagole are warned not to attempt to catch the lioness; instead they should contact the nearest police station or the department,” Matebesi said.
A number of big wild cats have escaped from captivity in the past few months, including a tiger named “Sheba” which was euthanised in Walkerville.