They were hunting a pride of lions that may have escaped from Kruger National Park or a nearby private reserve, said Wildlife officials in South Africa.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Thursday that public warnings were issued after the three adults and a cub were spotted roaming freely around villages in the Limpopo province.

Joshua Kwapa, the provincial environment and tourism spokesman, said, "At this stage we are doing all that we can to track and capture these lions. Clearly they are dangerous wild animals and we urge the public to remain vigilant in watching for signs of the lions."

Armed rangers are working 24 hours a day to hunt the lions.

Rangers were checking the perimeter fence for holes through which the lions could have escaped, said Laura Mokwebo, a spokeswoman for the Kruger National Park.

The Telegraph further said that the Kruger National Park, one of South Africa's biggest tourist attractions, is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists every year. (With Inputs from Agencies)