Residents of Chatsworth, South Africa, are being cautioned not to approach two impalas reportedly spotted near Higginson Highway. The animals were seen running along the highway, sparking concerns about their safety and the potential risk they pose to motorists. According to Thando Nomatshila, manager at Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, the first impala was spotted on Saturday, and before rangers could arrive, there were reports that it was captured by three men and taken into a taxi near the Bayview off-ramp.
A second impala was spotted on Sunday morning between the Bayview and Westcliff section of the highway. Nomatshila stated that the reserve received information about the sighting at around 3 pm on Saturday, but they were unable to verify the reports from an eyewitness who posted on social media. The search for the impalas continued throughout the afternoon, but was called off when it got dark. On Sunday morning, a team was sent out to search for the animals, and they are working to locate them.
The origin of the impalas is currently unknown, but it has not been ruled out that they belong to the herd at Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve. Nomatshila mentioned that during the last game count, there were between 35 and 40 impalas in the reserve. A game count is scheduled for Monday, which will help determine if the impalas on the run belong to the reserve's herd. The reserve is seeking the community's help in reporting sightings of the impalas.
Residents are advised not to disturb or startle the impalas if they spot them. Instead, they should let the animals graze and notify the reserve of the area where they were seen. According to Nomatshila, impalas are wild animals but will not attack people. However, if they feel threatened, they may run into the road and get knocked, posing a risk to motorists.
Animal rights activists are also weighing in on the issue, with Pat Naidoo, an activist in Chatsworth, appealing to residents to refrain from posting unverified information about sightings. This, she said, leads to a waste of resources as teams are sent out to search for the animals based on unconfirmed reports. Anyone who spots the impalas can contact Nomatshila directly.
The search for the impalas is ongoing, with a team working to locate them. The community's help is crucial in ensuring the animals' safety and preventing potential risks to motorists. Residents are urged to report any sightings to the reserve, and to exercise caution if they encounter the impalas.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of both the impalas and the community, and efforts are being made to resolve the situation. The investigation into the origin of the impalas and their safe capture is ongoing.
Key points
- - Two impalas were spotted near Higginson Highway in Chatsworth, South Africa. - The origin of the impalas is unknown, but it is possible they belong to Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve. - Residents are urged to report sightings and not approach the impalas.
