ARTICLE UPDATED at 16:29 pm
A lion was sighted in the Ingogo area on Wednesday morning, 10 September 2025, and was captured on video by a passerby, appearing to roam the area without immediate threat.
According to Newcastle SPCA Inspector Jenieveve Tinkler, the organisation was notified of the lion’s presence on Wednesday morning and immediately alerted the KZN Wildlife Fund, which is now overseeing the situation.
Although KZN Wildlife has yet to issue an official statement, Tinkler confirmed that the lion has shown no signs of aggression, and there have been no reports of harm to humans or livestock.
“The Newcastle SPCA has put a team in place to assist KZN Wildlife in locating the lion. We are calling on people to avoid the lion, if it is seen, and rather contact report its location immediately with a WhatsApp pin location to our emergency number 072 337 0347,” emphasised Tinkler.
She further stressed that anyone caught harming or killing the lion will face charges under South African animal cruelty laws.
Update:
Newcastle SPCA Inspector Jenieveve Tinkler confirmed that the video footage of the lion sighting in Ingogo may be a hoax and related an older sighting from a number of years back,
Although the footage may originate from an earlier sighting, Tinkler emphasised that both KZN Wildlife and the Newcastle SPCA must conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether a wild lion is currently in the area. “While the footage will need to be investigated, the resident who reported the matter was adamant she saw the lion. However, KZN Wild Life and Newcastle SPCA will have to investigate matter further, as to ensure the safety of the communities and the lion,” she noted, adding that if it is confirmed that the footage and the sighting were false, further steps may be taken against the individual who may have inadvertently caused public concern and wasted resources.
Tinkler also highlighted that any potential threat to the community is taken seriously and that both organisations remain on alert.
The sighting of a lion in the Ingogo area underscores the importance of vigilance and cooperation between local communities and wildlife authorities.
While the animal has so far posed no threat, residents are urged to adhere strictly to safety instructions and report any sightings promptly, ensuring both public safety and the protection of the lion.
This incident also highlights the broader challenges of human-wildlife interaction in the region, emphasising the need for ongoing monitoring and swift, coordinated action by conservation authorities.
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FAQs:
The lion was spotted on the morning of Wednesday, 10 September 2025, and captured on video by a passerby.
The Newcastle SPCA immediately alerted the KZN Wildlife Fund, which is now overseeing the case, with support from local SPCA teams.
According to the Newcastle SPCA, the lion has shown no signs of aggression, and there have been no reports of harm to people or livestock.
Residents are urged not to approach the lion. Instead, they should report the sighting immediately to the Newcastle SPCA by sending a WhatsApp pin location to 072 337 0347.
No. Anyone caught harming or killing the lion will face charges under South African animal cruelty laws.
The incident highlights the need for vigilance, cooperation between communities and wildlife authorities, and better management of human-wildlife interaction in the region.
