Dangerous Animal Incidents

[PennyinSA]

Picture of leopard posted now on Camps and Roads on FB and leopard does not look good - skin and bones! Driver fought it off and did not sustain serious injuries but is very shocked!

[Scipio]

According to chatter a Leopard on Elofstreet, (one that is under survey already???????) jumped onto the OSV bonnet, the guide saw S^&$& coming and tried to chase said leopard away, putting his arm in harms way. Well done to the guide that kept his guests safe and alive.

Now we just need to wait for the youtube downloads from somebody.

[Richprins]

Between Alpha and Bravo loops, apparently. I think that's quite near Skuks?

[Scipio]

[Scipio]

Just spoke to a person on the scene. Poor leopard female was put down because of........

I retract previous statements.

Said OSV was herding the leopard, that was not that bad off as reports say in health to ensure better sighting for his guests. Leopard got pissed and retaliated.

I changed a Propshaft in sigt of that female a few weeks ago, a lovely, non aggresive animal.

If you put any animal on its side, out cold they will look thin, but the "poor animal" is on facebook. Load of bull.

Respect them.

[RogerFraser]

http://lowvelder.co.za/279298/leopard-i ... i-vehicle/

Leopard mauls tour operator in Kruger
A tour guide who accompanied a group of tourists in the Kruger National Park has been taken to hospital after having been attacked by a leopard in his open safari vehicle earlier this afternoon
2 hours ago

Leopard put down after attacking tour operator
Update: Thursday July 2, 18:25

Nicolene Smalman and Hanti Schrader

MBOMBELA – The leopard which attacked tour guide Mr Curtis Plumb (38) in the Kruger National Park earlier today, has been euthanized.

Ms Helene Boshoff posted a photo of the leopard hanging onto Plumb’s arm on Camps and Roads of Kruger Facebook page. Several Facebook users commented that the animal appeared to have been sick.

Mr Mario Paul, also a safari guide, confirmed this. “I drove past the leopard too. It appeared very thin and ill and showed a lot of interest in the vehicles,” he said.


At the time of this update, Ms Robyn Baard, spokesman for Mediclinic Nelspruit where Plumb is currently being treated, said a doctor was still busy assessing his wounds.

SANParks issued a media statement, saying that the incident occurred just after 13:00 on the Alpha Loop on the H4-1 just outside Skukuza Camp.


“According to eye witnesses, the guide was with about eight tourists on his vehicle and watching the leopard some two metres from it. The animal cunningly disappeared, probably went around the guide’s side while the group was still searching for it.

“The guide was relaxed when suddenly the leopard leapt and grabbed his arm, trying to jump into the vehicle.

“Everybody in the vehicle 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,” General manager of Communications and Marketing, Mr William Mabasa, said.

The dead leopard. Photo: Sanparks
The dead leopard. Photo: Sanparks

According to spiralhorntours.co.za, Plumb is originally from the United Kingdom. He came to South Africa due to his love of the bush and nature. “He has a passion for travelling and has travelled through large parts of East and Southern Africa, before returning to South Africa to train as a guide. Curtis has been a guide ever since. He has been guiding in the Kruger National Park since 2011 and is still enjoying the bush as much as when he just started,” the page read.



Thursday July 2, 2015, 16:52

The stare

SKUKUZA – A tour guide was injured when a leopard attacked him inside his open safari vehicle in the Kruger National Park (KNP) earlier this afternoon.

A massive fight erupted between him and the predator at what started out as a normal leopard sighting on the road between Skukuza and Lower Sabie at about 12:30.

According to Ms Gerty Greyling, a paramedic of Lifemed, Mr Curtis Plumb (38) of Nhongo Safari Tours, stopped at the sighting with a tour group.

“He saw a woman in another vehicle hanging out halfway, photographing the animal. He warned her to get back into the car,” Greyling said.

The leopard, which had been lying in the grass, got up and walked around Plumb’s vehicle. It suddenly jumped up and grabbed his arm.

“The leopard jumped inside the vehicle and Plumb apparently started hitting the vehicle with his other fist,” Greyling said. The predator got hold of his other arm and another occupant inside Plumb’s vehicle threw a bag at the leopard.

The animal wasn’t deterred by this either and Plumb reversed the car. The cat jumped onto the bonnet. “Plumb then noticed a vehicle behind him and slammed on the brakes on which the leopard fell off,” he added.

Lifemed was summoned to Skukuza where it met Plumb at the local doctor’s rooms. “It’s difficult to elaborate on the extent of his injuries. The wound will most likely be cleaned in theatre and only then will one see how deep the lacerations are,” Greyling said.

Ms Robyn Baard, spokesman for Mediclinic Nelspruit, said at 17:00 that Plumb had arrived there 45 minutes prior. She couldn’t confirm his condition at the time.

[Richprins]

Thanks, Roger!

[Richprins]

Agreed, the leopard in the article doesn't look particularly skinny...the one in the pic does! And it looks like a male...


Lots more to this story.

[Scipio]

My speculation, a youngster, running in with older male, bla bla bla. Gotta ask the leopard I suppose.


But this will have far reaching consequence on tourism IMHO. But unfortunately some peeps will use this to their advantage to further their causes/pockets.

[Richprins]

Well, excellent response by SANParks to find and shoot and display the leopard, all within 5 hours of the incident!