PRIVATE OSV GUIDE ATTACKED BY A LEOPARD
A field guide working
for one of the Open Safari Vehicle (OSV) companies operating in the Kruger
National Park was attacked by a leopard today (Thursday, 2 July 2015) during a
game drive. The incident happened just after 13:00 at Alfa Loop on the H4-1 road
just outside Skukuza Camp.
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
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