A possible lion sighting near Ermelo has got the local farming community – and now long-distance truckers – on high alert, as wildlife officials scramble to confirm the presence of a big cat in the area.
Tracks believed to be those of a lion were discovered recently near the Tafelkop area, heading towards Ermelo.
The sighting, still unconfirmed by authorities, was first brought to light via a WhatsApp voice note shared by farmers in the Davel and Ermelo areas.
The note warns residents and farmers to stay cautious – and now truckers are being urged to do the same, especially those who park overnight on the N17 and nearby routes.
Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) spokesperson Simphiwe Shungube told Highvelder that a team with tracking dogs has been dispatched from Nelspruit to investigate.
“The team will investigate the tracks and trace them,” Shungube said.
Read | Truckers Warned of Lions Spotted on N10 at Olifantskop
He also encouraged the public to report any new sightings immediately to wildlife officer Louw Steyn at 083 626 6792.
Truckers heading through Ermelo and surrounding towns are advised to avoid overnight stops near open fields or bushy areas until the situation is clearer.
“You don’t want to become food for the king of the jungle,” one trucker joked – but there’s real concern in the air.
A photo of a lion is also doing the rounds on social media, though its link to this specific incident hasn’t been confirmed. Officials stress that lions are not native to this part of Mpumalanga, making the report unusual and potentially serious.
Truckers, if you’re doing a night park-off near Ermelo, rather keep that cab locked and stay alert. We’ll keep you posted as this story unfolds.
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