Dangerous Animal Incidents

Discussions and information on all Southern African Mammals
User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Lisbeth »

You have to put a lot of pressure on the government to make them take the steps towards a new law. Only way is a public outcry that could result in loosing votes and that needs a lot of time, because most people couldn't care less.

12 fatalities and 28 injured since 1996 does not impress a lot of people in SA, with the number of crimes with fatal results in the country every year, but at least the former could be avoided......and a lot of money lost O** O**

What an unethical way of earning money even more so knowing where the animals end up later on. :evil:


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
RogerFraser
Site Admin
Posts: 6000
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:36 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Durban
Contact:

Botswana Incident with Leopard and Tourist

Post by RogerFraser »

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... G-leg.html

Image
By Laura Forsyth For Mailonline

PUBLISHED: 09:59 BST, 16 May 2018 | UPDATED: 17:35 BST, 16 May 201

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

This is the incredible moment a tourist on a safari experiences a very close encounter with a young leopard that nearly goes wrong.

The footage, captured in Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, shows the leopard approaching a jeep and sniffing the tourist's leg before scratching it with its claws - leaving him with a small wound.


Aware of the danger, the jeep driver quickly turns on the vehicle to escape.

The feline then can be seen getting away from the vehicle - seemingly scared by the sound of the jeep engine

The man writes: 'Our tracker came upon this young leopard resting after a recent impala kill that was about 20 yards away.

'As we were viewing the leopard about 15 feet away he got up and approached the vehicle where I was sitting with my legs crossed.

'Our tracker told me not to move so I didn't.

'Amazingly, I wasn't frightened at all.

'He just seemed like a big pussycat.'

The clip was filmed on April 5.


User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75834
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: Botswana Incident with Leopard and Tourist

Post by Richprins »

Hmmm...looks like a normal young leopard, unhabituated? \O


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Botswana Incident with Leopard and Tourist

Post by Flutterby »

The guide should have started the vehicle sooner...stupid to put his guests in danger! 0*\


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Lisbeth »



"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75834
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Richprins »

Opinion: Will I be attacked by a wild animal while on safari?
Posted on 9 May, 2018 by Wild Wings Safaris


Written by Onne Vegter, Wild Wings Safaris

Will I be attacked by a wild animal while on safari? A number of recent news headlines in South Africa have probably contributed to an increase in this particular question (or some version of it), and two recent incidents appear to highlight again just how dangerous wild animals can be.

The first was a viral video of a lion attacking a man at the Marakele Animal Sanctuary in Thabazimbi, South Africa. (Note, this did not happen in the Marakele National Park as some news reports suggested). The second was the tragic death of filmmaker Carlos Carvalho, who was killed by a giraffe at Glen Afric Country Lodge, near Johannesburg. Carlos was busy taking close-up footage of the giraffe (affectionately named Gerald) when the animal unexpectedly swung its powerful neck and hit Carlos against his head with one fatal blow.

Both of these venues keep animals that are habituated to humans, and offer animal interaction experiences to tourists. As with most cases of animals attacking humans, neither of these incidents involved truly wild animals. By far the majority of such attacks occur where wild animals are kept in captivity, or are considered tame or habituated. The most dangerous animals are not wild animals living in the wild, but wild animals living in captivity, or habituated to humans for some reason.

There are many examples. Baboons or monkeys that have been fed and become aggressive towards people. Leopards or hyenas that are used to being fed by campers and have lost their fear of humans. Lions or cheetahs that have been raised in captivity. In almost every case of a ‘wild’ animal attacking a human, the animal is not truly wild.

Over the last few years, more and more people have been crying out against so-called ‘animal sanctuaries’, captive breeding facilities and various animal interaction experiences (such as lion cub petting or cheetah interactions or elephant back safaris). Most responsible tour operators have stopped supporting such places or recommending them to tourists.
A leopard hissing aggressively

The lesson to take from this is simple. Captive or habituated animals are the most dangerous wild animals. Avoid animal sanctuaries or wildlife interactions with captive or habituated animals. Never touch a wild animal or get too close. Rather go to a proper game reserve and observe free-roaming wild animals in their natural habitat. Truly wild animals hardly ever attack humans. Even the biggest and most dangerous game have a natural fear of humans and will usually run away if a human approaches on foot. Bush walks in game reserves with dangerous game are surprisingly safe, if conducted by experienced guides who know how to maintain a safe distance, respect wild animals, and give them their space.

In Africa’s big game reserves such as the famous Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, it is often possible to enjoy close-up encounters with truly wild animals, by approaching with a vehicle instead of on foot. Even an open safari vehicle is safe. It may feel unprotected to a first time safari tourist, but thousands of game drives are conducted every single day in open vehicles, without any incidents. This is because wild animals do not see vehicles as prey nor associate them with food. If they feel threatened by a vehicle (for example due to noisy guests and the sound of human voices coming from the vehicle) wild animals will tend to run away from the vehicle. Likewise, in areas where hunting occurs, animals are usually more skittish and may run off when a vehicle approaches.

One exception to this is elephants. It is wise to keep a safe distance from elephants, especially bulls in musth or matriarchs with young calves. Sometimes an elephant may be annoyed by a vehicle that approaches too closely. But skilled guides who understand elephant behaviour seldom have confrontations with elephants, because they know when to back off.

The safest way to observe wild animals is in their natural habitat, from a respectful distance. Avoid captive animal ‘sanctuaries’ or venues that offer interactions with wild animals. Aside from the ethical reasons not to support such activities, it is safer to avoid them. Never come too close to a wild animal or try and touch it, even (or especially) if it is tame or habituated. The animal may be cute, but it is not safe. Don’t feed wild animals. It makes them dangerous and increases the chance of conflict between humans and wildlife.


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Richprins
Committee Member
Posts: 75834
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 3:52 pm
Location: NELSPRUIT
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Richprins »

Ja..the "captive wild animals" are part of a system that exposes citizens that can not access pristine areas, economically/time-wise?

It is very important regarding creating awareness and affinity.

Also economically very important.


Please check Needs Attention pre-booking: https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.php?f=322&t=596
User avatar
Flutterby
Posts: 44150
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:28 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Gauteng, South Africa
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Flutterby »

Richprins wrote: Fri May 18, 2018 5:27 pm Even an open safari vehicle is safe.
Unless your guide decides it will be fun to sit there while a leopard gets acquainted with your leg! O**


User avatar
Lisbeth
Site Admin
Posts: 67237
Joined: Sat May 19, 2012 12:31 pm
Country: Switzerland
Location: Lugano
Contact:

Re: Dangerous Animal Incidents

Post by Lisbeth »

Yes, he was hesitating a bit too long before taking off :X:


"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Nelson Mandela
The desire for equality must never exceed the demands of knowledge
User avatar
RogerFraser
Site Admin
Posts: 6000
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2013 9:36 pm
Country: South Africa
Location: Durban
Contact:

Leopard chases kudu antelope into tourist’s car

Post by RogerFraser »

A British tourist on Safari in South Africa filmed this amazing sighting in Pilanesberg National Park.



Post Reply

Return to “Mammals”