More than a dozen lions escape from South African park

Two lions at a game reserve in South Africa. [File Photo: IC]

Local media reports say the pride was spotted on Thursday in the town of Phalaborwa to the west of the park near the border with Mozambique. Authorities issued a warning to local residents, and rangers were deployed to recapture the lions.

News of the escape follows the death on Wednesday of a toddler at the park. The two-year-old was visiting his father, who works at the park, when a leopard entered the staff quarters and mauled him.

Two leopards, one of which authorities believe killed the child, were later shot and killed near the scene of the attack.