The search for the eight-year-old female tiger that escaped from its enclosure on a smallholding south of Johannesburg last Saturday evening, is over.
And it’s ended on a SAD note.
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The tiger, named Sheba, was located and euthanised early on Wednesday morning.
This came after the attack – and kill – of another domestic animal, as well as the fact she had moved into a more densely populated area.
Community policing forum representative Gresham Mandy confirmed according to a News24 article that reports were received of activity on the Arboretum Farm at Walkers Fruit Farms shortly before 02:00.
“She had entered a farm area with six dwellings and with families living there. Sheba attacked and killed one of the domestic animals, and a call was made for urgent assistance. Members responded to the scene, and began to track the tiger,” Mandy said.
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Mandy said Sheba’s owner, Rassie Erasmus, (not the former Springbok coach), was present during the search.
The tracking teams had managed to locate Sheba near one of the houses on the farm.
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“Due to the terrain and area, it was not possible to contain her or secure her safely.
“At 03:45, the decision was made to euthanise her while it was still safe to do so. Unfortunately, at that moment in time, darting her was not an option. Sheba had moved during the night across the hills to the west side of Fruit Farms, bringing her close to livestock and other residents in a more densely populated area.
“This was not an easy decision to make at the time, and the safety of the community of Walkers Fruit Farms was a priority,” Mandy added.
Tiger had attacked a man, two dogs and a pig
As reported by The South African website, Sheba escaped her enclosure when the fence was reportedly cut.
Her male partner was darted and relocated to a nearby big cat sanctuary last Sunday.
Sheba was due to have been relocated to the same sanctuary had she been captured alive.
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Mandy earlier in the week told Newzroom Afrika that Sheba had attacked a 39-year-old man, two dogs and a pig.
“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,” Mandy confirmed.
Sadly, both dogs had to be put down due to the severity of their injuries, but the man is expected to make a full recovery after being admitted to hospital
There has been no update on the condition of the pig at the time of publishing.
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