Woman injured and town terrorised as rampaging lions, elephants and rhinos escape wildlife park

A WOMAN has been injured after multiple wild and dangerous animals escaped a wildlife park in South Africa.

It is believed that six lions, four elephants, two white rhinos, one black rhino, one buffalo, and a pack of African wild dogs have escaped the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park game reserve over several weeks.

The animals have wreaked havoc in nearby towns and villages, leaving entire communities living in fear.

A 45-year-old woman, who has been identified as Zandile Mbhele, was injured after one of the rhinos run riot through her town, destroying fences surrounding several homes in the area.

A male lion was potted roaming near the P700 road, near Ulundi, northern KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday in footage shared on .

The animals began escaping six weeks ago via what local media have described as a "perpetually broken fence".

Residents of the Okhukho and Nqulwane communities claim that no progress in repairs of the fence have been made, despite assurances from the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA).

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, a governmental organisation responsible for maintaining wildlife conservation areas and biodiversity in KwaZulu-Natal, last week stated it had employed 115 staff to monitor and mend the precarious fence line.

However, it has now transpired that members of the affected Okhukho and Nqulwane communities took responsibility for fixing it.

Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo confirmed the lion spotted on the P700 was one of the escapees.

The lion had moved on when the rangers arrived on scene, Mntambo added.