- A helicopter is searching for the predators in Fochville, Gauteng province
- The escapees were spotted as police were investigating an animal carcass
- Conservation group Captured in Africa said the lions may be illegally owned
- It comes two months after three lions escaped from Kruger National Park
Five lions are roaming around South Africa’s most populous province as authorities attempt to track them down.
Police in Fochville contacted conservation group Captured in Africa on Friday to report lions were on the loose in the town, which is 60 kilometres (37 miles) south-west of the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg.
Captured in Africa founder Drew Abrahamson said: ‘Police spotted the lions while investigating an animal carcass.’
Five lions are roaming around South Africa’s built-up Gauteng province, which is the country’s most populous (stock photo)
Authorities are tracking five lions after police spotted them while inspecting a carcass in South Africa (stock photo)
She added this could mean they were owned illegally, as a law-abiding owner would have reported the missing predators to police.
‘A small plane is searching for the lions,’ she said.
The incident in Gauteng province is unusual because much of the area is developed.
In July, South African officials shot and killed three lions that escaped from the country’s Kruger National Park.
The lions were spotted by police in Fochville, which is in South Africa’s most populated province