Residents of Chatsworth are strongly advised not to approach two impalas that were spotted near the Higginson Highway while rangers search for the animals and determine if they escaped from the Kenneth Stainbank Reserve.
Environmental activists expressed concern over the safety of the two impalas seen running along the Higginson Highway. According to available information, one of them was caught and taken in a taxi on Saturday.
The second animal was found on Sunday morning on the highway section between Bayview and Westcliff. It has not yet been determined whether these impalas belong to the herd living in the Kenneth Stainbank Reserve.
Tando Nomathila, the reserve manager, reported receiving information about the first impala around three o'clock the previous day. He stated that before the rangers arrived, there were reports that three men had caught the impala and put it in a taxi near the Bayview exit.
Nomathila noted that they could not verify the eyewitness report posted on social media, so they continued searching all day. When it got dark, the search was stopped. On Sunday morning, information about the second impala came in in the Westcliff area, after which reports were received that the impala had been hit near the Westcliff exit. He personally visited the area but found neither the body nor any signs of injury to the animal.
The team continues the search and will continue until the impalas are found. Nomathila emphasized that the help of the local community in reporting spotted animals is necessary for the search.
He admitted that they still do not understand where the impalas came from, but did not rule out that they might belong to the reserve's herd. Nomathila added that the fact that they are so far from the reserve raises doubts about their belonging to the herd. During the last animal count in the reserve, there were between 35 and 40 impalas. An annual animal count is planned for Monday, which will allow confirmation of the number missing or determine if the strays belong to the reserve's herd.
He advised the public that if they see an impala, they should not disturb or scare it. The animals should be allowed to graze, and then the location where they were found should be reported. Impalas are wild animals, but they will not attack people; if they feel threatened, they will get scared and run away. Since they are now freely roaming on the highway in unfamiliar territory, there is a risk that they will get onto the road and be hit, which poses a danger to drivers.
Chatsworth environmental activist Pat Naidu appealed to residents to refrain from publishing unverified information about spotted animals, as this leads to the waste of search resources.
Anyone who spots an impala can call Nomathila at 072 190 9612.