WARNING: 3 ELEPHANTS ESCAPE FROM MOZ INTO ESWATINI

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.

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