Hunt for lion on the loose outside S Africa capital

South African trackers are trying to find a lion that is on the loose outside the capital, Pretoria.

It has been spotted near a popular hiking trail about 30km (19 miles) west of the city on the way to Hartbeespoort Dam.

Arthur Crewe from the Strategic Response Unit, a security firm, said the search for the big cat began on Wednesday near the Hennops Hiking Trail.

Technology such as drones was being used to track down the animal that had been sighted a couple of times, he told South Africa’s TimesLive.

He told News24 that he was also hoping for helicopter assitance.

Mr Crewe urged the public not to panic, saying the animal was unlikely to attack as it was in a bushy area.

“There is no major threat to any homes or the public in the area it is in now,” TimesLive quoted him as saying.

It is not clear from where the lion escaped.

A report that the lion had killed a donkey turned out not to be true as that animal had been hit by a vehicle.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Kruger National Park