Tiger on the loose in Johannesburg- here are the details…

Yep, you read that right! A TIGER is on the loose in Johannesburg and the public is urged to be on high alert. Here are the details…

By: Corné van Zyl

Police have urged the public to be on HIGH alert as the escaped tiger is still on the loose in Walkerville and the surroundings in Johannesburg.

ESCAPED TIGER STILL ON THE LOOSE – STAY INDOORS, KEEP PETS SAFE

According to police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Sello, it is reported that the big cat escaped from its cage and attacked a 39-year-old man and a dog in the area.

“The community members are urged to be on alert after a tiger escaped from a smallholding at Kliprivier area on Saturday, 14 January 2023.

“Members of the public are warned not to approach the animal for their own safety.”

Colonel Dimakatso Sello

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HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT THE ESCAPED TIGER:

Here is the latest on the tiger: 

• The animal was a fully grown female.
• It is the female half of a privately-owned tiger pair from a small holding on Walkers Fruit Farms.
• The owner of the big cat could not yet be identified.
• The owner claimed the fence had been cut, and the animal escaped on Saturday night.

HAVE YOU SPOTTED IT? PHONE THESE NUMBERS NOW:

If you have spotted the big cat, you are urged to contact the police and other teams at the following numbers: 

• contact the Crime Stop Line 08600 10111.
• The Vereeniging and Vanderbiljpark SPCA – 083 292 5862

A team of trackers, police, and residents was out early on Monday morning searching for the tiger. 

THE TIGER REPORTEDLY ATTACKED A MAN AND KILLED A DOG

The Vereeniging and Vanderbiljpark SPCA said its team was also on the ground and working closely with authorities to ensure the safe capture of the animal.

It asked the residents of Walkerville and its surroundings to inform it immediately by calling its emergency number on 083 292 5862, if it was spotted.

Walkerville community policing forum’s Gresham Mandy told Newzroom Afrika the animal has already killed a dog, and attacked a man who was walking about a kilometre away from the farm.

“He was bending over to tie his shoes, and she attacked him from behind, he screamed, and then people ran out from one of the dwellings with torches and managed to chase the tiger off.”

Gresham Mandy