Long Tom Lion Mpumalanga

YouTube / Lowveld Media

Escaped “Long Tom Lion” spotted by motorist in Mpumalanga [video]

This is a breathtaking, if not terrifying encounter.

Long Tom Lion Mpumalanga

YouTube / Lowveld Media

Residents of Mbombela are being warned to stay vigilant after it was reported that a lion – now dubbed the “Long Tom Lion” –  has escaped from Kruger National Park.

The animal was recently spotted on the R37 road, around 40km outside of Mbombela – the biggest city in the Mpumalanga province. News24 (via Netwerk24) report that the local traffic department had confirmed that the lion was on the loose.

However, footage uploaded to Youtube on Wednesday – and shared by Lowvelder – shows the lion making his way across Long Tom Pass, 65km from Mbombela.

Long Tom Lion on the loose near Mbombela

Authorities are remaining tight-lipped on the situation until more information becomes available. However, The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) have confirmed the lion still remains at large as of Wednesday evening.

Juan de Beer, acting senior manager of the MTPA’s Wildlife Protection Services, told Lowvelder more about the situation and shared some vital information:

“Please report any sighting to Louw Steyn, on 083-626-6792: We have no leads as to where the lion’s whereabouts might be. Various reports stating that the lion was darted and relocated are untrue.”

Locals are advised to avoid the lion at all costs if they see it. If you do spot him, you must contact the previously-shared number with details of the lion’s location and which direction he’s heading in.

When lions escape

Sadly, cases like this very rarely have a happy ending. Almost one year ago, three lions who escaped from Kruger National Park were shot dead as they roamed residential areas.

One of the lions was gunned down on a private farm. The other two were in the nearby area, yet the search team were unable to merely tranquilise the lions and had ‘no choice’ but to shoot the escapees dead.

The lion that was shot on the farm wasn’t killed instantly, but rather badly wounded. Rangers made the heartbreaking decision to end his suffering.

In November 2017, two lions were seen on the prowl in Tzaneen, Limpopo.

Eyewitnesses reported that the lions were seen in the pine plantations near Vula-Vula in the Georges Valley area after they escaped. The lions were apparently being transported from one enclosure to another, and at least one was recaptured safely.

Watch the Long Tom Lion make its appearance here: