Times Of Swaziland: WARNING: 3 ELEPHANTS ESCAPE FROM MOZ INTO ESWATINI

WARNING: 3 ELEPHANTS ESCAPE FROM MOZ INTO ESWATINI
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BY DELISA THWALA on 01/12/2021 08:59:00


MBABANE – Big Game Parks authorities are on high alert as three elephants are
believed to be roaming the country, after escaping from Mozambique on Saturday.
The elephants were first seen at Mambane, but later moved to Big Bend, where
they were spotted moving around on Sunday. They later moved to Lubhuku within a
Tibiyo Taka Ngwane farm. By yesterday, they were seen at Sikhuphe. Chief Police
Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati said
police were closely monitoring the elephants with the assistance of rangers from
Big Game Parks.
Escaped
“Yes there are three elephants in the country that escaped from Mozambique. We
plead with people (where the elephants were spotted) to be on high alert and
keep away from the animals,” said Vilakati during an interview with this
publication. According to some residents around Sikhuphe, the elephants were
seen fumbling through forests as they journeyed. “I was herding cattle in the
afternoon when I saw large tracks on the ground. I noticed that these were not
normal and could not possibly be those of a cow,” said Mbhekwa Shabangu.  He
said he spread the word about the tracks and asked about them, only to be told
that they could be of an elephant.
He then told people to be on the lookout. Another resident from Big Bend said
they were warned by kombi operators that there were elephants roaming around.
“We were told by our peers that there are elephants in the country, some said
the elephants did not seem dangerous as there was no human life lost,” said
Philile Dlamini from Big Bend. Pictures were circulated on social media,
suggesting that the elephants had escaped from KaMsholo Game Parks and they were
in areas like Sigcaweni, but that was not the case, according to Big Game Parks.
Big Game Park’s Jubela Reilly warned that people should not set dogs on the
elephants. “The elephants may run straight towards the dog owner in that
situation,” he said. Sales and Marketing Manager at Big Game Parks Xolani Gama
said they were aware of the escaped elephants and were monitoring their
movements through their rangers.
Provoke
Gama said they were working closely with the police in tracking the elephants
and advised people not to intimidate or provoke the animals. “We have informed
all of our rangers to help us find the elephants, hopefully before they harm
anyone or get harmed as well,” she said. In addition, Gama further said they
would not tranquilise or shoot the elephants, but would employ other means to
capture them safely.  She warned people against getting too close to the
elephants or taking pictures of them.
“Do not block them, cut off their escape route, or come between them. Allow
them a clear path away from the area. Never park your car over any elephant
footpaths leading off from the road. Keep an eye on both sides and the rear of
the vehicle for approaching elephants,” she said.