Here below, is the third story that I have typed up from one of our newspapers today.
They are all verbatim from The Times (www timeslive co za) and this one is a happy one I think.
SYLVESTER THE LION MIGHT GET A NEW HOME by Shaun Smillie.
A decision has yet to be made about Sylvester the lion’s future after he was returned to the Karoo National Park following a dramatic capture in the nearby Nuweveld Mountains. The three-year old lion is now under observation in a boma in the park.
“Specialists will decide what the best option is for the lion,†said Nico van der Walt, manager of the Karoo National Park. There is a possibility that he may be relocatedâ€
Sylvester is believed to have been pushed out of his pride by another male or males ad escaped from the park through a hole in the fence. Yesterday he was doing well said van der Walt, he had no injuries but was stressed.
The lion’s 24 days on the run ended on Monday afternoon when trackers spotted him high on the Nuweveld Mountains on top of some high cliffs on the farm Palmietfontein.
“By this time he had become very tired, he hadn’t eaten for four days and on Saturday, the dogs had chased him into the mountains,†van der Walt said.
The trackers spotted the lion, who ran off but settled down again a short distance away. The team then called in a helicopter. From the air, the animal was spotted hiding on top of some high cliffs.
“The helicopter got within 30 metres of the lion and the vet was able to dart him,†van der alt said. There were fears that the tranquilsed creature might roll off the cliff edge, but a bush was there to prevent that from happening.
Then came the difficult part. As Sylvester was some way from the rescue vehicles, a decision was made to airlift the cat in a sling beneath the chopper. The aircraft had to come so close to the mountain that its rotor blades spun just two metres from the cliff face.
Sylvester was conveyed to the vehicles, then rushed back to the Karoo National Park.
After the three-week hunt, van der Walt has no hard feelings towards a creature that led him and his team on a trek of 300km. “Over that time I developed a respect for him and what he has gone through,†he said.
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There is a picture of Sylvester on the front page of the newspaper and he really looks like a handsome chap with his mane and all. I will keep an eye out for further reports and let you know what happens. At least they didn’t call him Spot.
Cheers now
