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[File Image] A male lion.
The authorities in North West say the lion that escaped on the R49 between Zeerust and Lichtenburg from a trailer transporting it has been captured.
The animal was being transported from the Free State to Nietverdiend in Ramotshere Moiloa Municipality in the North West on Monday.
A video has been circulating on social media, showing a lion escaping from the trailer.
The Environment and Conservation Department says it is investigating the escape.
The department’s spokesperson, Jerrry Matebesi says, “The Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism in the North West Province, hereby confirms that a lion that escaped from a moving truck between the Lichtenburg and Zeerust road has been captured. Investigations are ongoing to determine what might have caused such an incident.”
Only in SA – A lion in transit has escaped in the vicinity of Lictenburg and Zeerust, North West.https://t.co/fb00IVzgkv#ArriveAlive @LiveTrafficNPC [Video via Dean Slater] pic.twitter.com/iDu96bkX7U
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) October 20, 2025