Measures had been taken to capture a lion that escaped from the Karoo National Park earlier this week, SANParks said on Wednesday, adding that it was still looking at different options to deal with the lion once it was captured.

SANParks statement follows reports that the three-year-old male lion, known as Sylvester, would be euthanised and a subsequent public outcry.

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“SANParks would like to make it known to the public that we are dealing with a dangerous and ever-changing situation and, as such, decisions related to the capture of the lion will be informed by the situation at the moment of capture,” the organisation said in a statement.

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According to the organisation, options it is considering include: bringing the lion back to the park and looking at improving on fencing and other preventative measures; translocating the lion to another national park; donating the lion to another state-owned conservation entity; or donating the lion to a private conservation entity. Another option would be euthanising. According to SANParks this is likely if the lion causes “massive” damage, danger to people or the loss of human life.

"In considering these measures to deal with damage causing animals we should be aware of the reality that such an animal can pose a very real danger to human life. Our actions in this regard are in line with international norms and standards," SANParks stated. It also stressed that the decision to be taken on the future of Sylvester the lion would be responsible, well thought out and in line with applicable practices, policies and legislation. “SANParks is confident that the animal will be captured safely soon.”

SANParks also thanked South Africans who offered various solutions and. According to Traveller24, Conservationist and filmmaker John Varty, offered to home Sylvester at Tiger Canyons, saying he would build a sanctuary over 1 000 hectares to do so.

The lion escaped from the park in June 2015 through a hole in the fence, sparking a three-week search costing R800 000, during which time the lion killed 28 sheep, an Nguni cow and a kudu. SANParks says he is now considered “a damage causing animal”.

Andre Du Toit, Director at SATIB Insurance Brokers and Critical Incident Management Services, points out that SANParks has a duty of care, not only to the lion, but also to the communities around the park.

From an insurance perspective, he says that in instances where a wild animal escapes, there could be a liability claim against the owner, if the owner is found negligible. “However, if the owner has taken reasonable care to contain the animal, they are considered to be acting within their area of responsibility.” He also points out that wild animals do escape from time to time and that this is not an isolated incident.

If the lion is spotted, members of the public are requested not to approach it, but to alert park authorities of the location on 023 415 2828 or 023 414 7080.