Bloemfontein - Two lions have died and two others are seriously underweight following a legal battle between the former owners of Lechwe Lodge and its liquidators, just outside Kroonstad.
Apart from the two that have died, there are 17 lions remaining.
While it is not yet clear what led to the death of the two lions, Free State Nature Conservation was likely to confiscate the remaining lions before taking them to suitable facilities.
“Seventeen lions remain," Isabel Wentzel, spokesperson for the National Council of SPCAs told News24 on Tuesday.
"Some look worse than others and some look acceptable, if you keep in mind that lions should not be too fat. They are fed now, but we don't want to bury them under food. At this stage, it is too soon to tell if they are gaining weight."
She said the matter had come to their attention at the weekend and that the lions were also being monitored by Free State Nature Conservation officials.
"This is yet another incident when living animals are affected by liquidation processes and we urge individuals or liquidation companies to contact us in advance when live animals are in jeopardy of being attached during liquidation processes, as these are live animals that must be cared for properly."
She went on to say that not much game was left on the reserve.
“The liquidators provide the food, but there is still a dispute between the liquidators and the former owners of the animals and both parties deny responsibility [in terms of] looking after the lions.
“We are liaising extensively with the officials involved in the case and our involvement will continue until the lions are safely relocated and appropriately cared for. The case is being thoroughly investigated and charges will be laid against the individuals involved,” said Wentzel.
She said, in terms of the Animals Protection Act no 71 of 1962, liquidators that were in charge of seized assets would be liable for prosecution if the assets included live animals that were not cared for adequately.