Lion Escapes from Moving Truck Near Lichtenburg
A video showing an adult male lion leaping from a moving transport truck near Lichtenburg in the North West province has gone viral, leaving social media users stunned.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, 20 October 2025, in the Bakerville area.
A video clip shared online show the lion jumping from the top of a moving wagon before landing on the roadside.
The animal was being transported from the Free State province to Nietverdiend in the Ramotshere Moiloa Municipality when it managed to escape from its enclosure.
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Lion Safely Captured
The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) confirmed that the lion had been safely captured along the R49 between Lichtenburg and Zeerust.
“The public is assured that there is no cause for alarm, as the lion no longer poses any threat to motorists or residents in the area,” the department said in a statement.
Authorities Launch Investigation
Department spokesperson Jeremiah Matebesi said an investigation is underway to determine how the incident occurred and whether any permit conditions were violated.
“Preliminary investigations suggest there may have been an infringement of the transport permit conditions,” the department stated.
Officials will also review whether the lion’s transportation complied with the South African National Standards (SANS) 1884-3, which outline strict requirements for cage design, vehicle safety, and animal welfare during transport.
Social Media Reaction
The dramatic footage sparked widespread discussion online, with many questioning the safety standards for transporting wild animals. Others expressed relief that the lion was recaptured without causing harm or injury.
Here are some of the reactions;
@ladyhunybee;
Whoever came with an idea of not closing that box they need to be arrested.
@EmpireTDlu;
We need a Commission on how it escaped and why landed with 2-feet.
@mullerie;
No! The vet should be reprimanded! Disaster all round. Poor animal.
@brobuti;
The person transporting this lion needs to be charged with negligence, surely that trailer is not designed to transport dangerous animals like lions,it is not sealed at the top or have some support to stop it from escaping,it was just an accident waiting to happen
@gpreller;
How unprofessional of the company doing the transit. The cruelty to the animal jumping down from that height to the ground. @NSPCA_SA must issue big fine