The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park never fails to delight and enthral, and it always offers something more – creating moments which become perfect campfire stories.

On Facebook, such an intriguing story recently unfolded, which was widely shared and also published on the groups KTP Sightings – Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park and Kgalagadi Sightings. The source of this story can be traced back to a Facebook post on 3 June by Jo Tagg from Namibia.

This story is best told in Tagg’s own words:

“Groot Kolk was, as always, a delight. One invariably engages with fellow travellers and compares sightings and shares insights. Our neighbour was a single traveller, Uta Kappel, who is also a regular visitor.

“On her morning of departure we travelled in convoy south of Grootkolk. As a fitting farewell we came upon the pride of 11 lions some 6 or 7 kilometres south of Grootkolk. They were in the road and next to the road and active. There appeared to be some domestic discord in the pride. The best of families are not spared bouts of domestic strife.

“We spent about 45 minutes with the pride and were lured away by growling. Not by the lions but rather a call that breakfast beckoned. We bade our farewells to Uta.

“Late morning I received a WhatsApp message from Uta informing me that my number plate had been attended to by the lions. She sent an image of the number plate and an approximate locality. Later in the day my significant other and I headed to the site and found where we thought it could be. It was nowhere to be seen. We came to the realisation that this had now become a crime scene.

“Later in the day, when Uta arrived at Twee Rivieren, she sent more images. Not just of the number plate in the road but rather a lioness who had claimed it as a trophy.”

Tagg then mentioned that Kappel had kindly allowed her to post these images.

Reporting the theft

“When we left, we reported the theft to the kind woman at Nossob reception who was most concerned that we were reporting a theft. Her delight was palpable when she was shown the image of the thief! When we departed at Mata Mata, we reported once again. The response from reception was the same.

“We exited at Mata Mata back to our home in Namibia without a front number plate. We reported to the kindly Namibian policeman who checks vehicles entering. We explained the situation and shared the images.

“His response was priceless, without malice but laced with good humour: ‘the lions in South Africa are stealing!’”

Hilarious comments

This incident lead to a variety of comments on Facebook, including these:

• “Come out of your vehicle sir, we just need to talk about your number plate, please just come out.” – PT Fillemon.
• “The lion now identify as a car.” – LeeBorn Kambwene
• “Even their lions are looting.” – Malcolm Xii
• “Does she realize she’s now registered and licensed, and she’s now responsible for annual fees due?” – Catherine Whalley