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03 July 2015

Media Release: Private OSV guide attacked by a Leopard

According to eye witnesses, the guide was with about 6-8 tourists on his OSV and watching the leopard some two metres from the vehicle. The animal cunningly disappeared, probably went around the guide” (driver)”s side while the group was still searching for it. The guide had relaxed on the OSV when suddenly the leopard leapt and grabbed his arm, trying to jump into the vehicle. Everybody in the OSV started hitting the leopard with any object they had with them. The leopard would not let go of the guide”s arm; until a tourist from another vehicle rushed and repeatedly used his vehicle to scare off the animal and that is when it eventually let go.

“We would like to thank the tourist from another vehicle for his quick and decisive action as he saved the guide and tourists” lives. It is suspected that the leopard was fighting with another one as its hind was badly injured; the other leopard was spotted in the area watching from a distance,” said GM: Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa.

A resident medical doctor has since treated the guide for injuries.

Leopardattack1
The leopard, after it was captured for examination

Issued by:

Communications & Marketing Department, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4262, cell: 082 807 1441
Email: [email protected]

Enquiries:
William Mabasa
GM: Communications and Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 082 807 3919
Email: [email protected]