Maputo  - The authorities of a Mozambican district bordering South Africa's famous Kruger National Park issued a red alert Monday over the threat of attack by wild animals after 50 kilometres of border fencing was destroyed.

Jose Mendonca, a member of the local government in Moamba district, told Radio Mozambique the government was trying to chase away animals that had broken through the fence into Mozambique.

Among the animals spotted roaming the area were lions, elephants, and other game.

The official blamed human activity for the destruction of the fence. Cross-border smugglers are active in the area.

Animals trying to cross the border to Mozambique in search of food also sometimes pierce the fence.

Although the South African and Mozambican governments left passages in the fence for the movement of animals across the border, these do not always fall along the animals' traditional migration route. (dpa)