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The South African National Parks has confirmed the escape of six elephants from the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga.

Residents living near the park have been asked to be cautious, especially around the Mkhuhlu area, according to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA). They are also pleading with community members in the Mkhuhlu area near Hazyview not to attempt to kill the animals

South African National Parks spokesperson Ike Phaahla said they tried to drive the elephants back into the park, but apparently, community members blocked their way, and the situation became dangerous, Jacaranda FM reports.

“We tried our best for two hours, but were unsuccessful because community members used their bakkies to block the elephants’ way back into the park,” Phaahla said.

MTPA spokesperson Simphiwe Shingube says their attempts to push the elephants back to the Kruger Park failed twice, per SABC News, confirming that their operations were also partly disrupted by community members and motorists.

“We tried twice with the helicopter to push them back to the park. Unfortunately, we couldn’t succeed at the moment, however, we are monitoring the situation. Our team is on the ground to make sure that the community is safe and we are also trying other options so that the situation can come back to normal. We are saying to the nearby community they must not try to kill these elephants. They must also allow our team to work without any disturbance.”

Phaahla also said that the situation is currently being monitored, and as soon as the police get the situation under control, they will provide an update.

VIDEO | Six elephants have escaped from the Kruger National Park and are enroute the Mkhuhlu area. pic.twitter.com/VhXV1AQcvX

— SABC News (@SABCNews) September 4, 2024

Now, the six elephants will spend the night outside the safety of the park’s fences in a wilderness of a different kind thanks to the locals who thwarted efforts to get the animals back into the park.

The Lowvelder reports that SAPS was notified to control the crowd, however, according to Shungube, the mission was called off and the elephants remain outside the park.

A frustrated Shungube said had it not been for the community’s interference the elephants would have been back in the park by now.

“We are monitoring the situation on the ground and putting our heads together to find other options to explore. Our team is well trained, but the community is disturbing our efforts. We are appealing to the community to give our team the opportunity to assist in this situation,” Shungube said.

The motive for blocking the elephants’ safe return is not yet known and neither Phaahla nor Shungube drew any speculation.

The last reported sighting from the SANParks Airwing and section rangers was along the Sabie River.

Shame, let’s hope these elephants aren’t killed trying to get back to safety.

[sources:lowvelder&jacaranda&sabc]