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Cape Town - A Safari guide has survived an ambush attack during a leopard sighting between Skukuza and Lower Sabie, in the Kruger National Park.
SANParks confirmed in a statement that the attacked took place on Thursday afternoon just after 13:00 at Alfa Loop on the H4-1 road just outside Skukuza Camp.
The Lowvelder reports the guide’s name is Curtis Plumb (38) of Nhongo Safari Tours.
According to eye witnesses statements released by SANParks, the Plumb was with about 6-8 tourists on his Open Safari Vehicle, 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," said SANParks General Manager, Communications and Marketing, William Mabasa.
According to the SANParks statement the tourists started hitting the leopard with any object they had with them but the leopard would not let go of the guide’s arm.
A tourist from another vehicle rushed and repeatedly used his vehicle to scare off the animal until it eventually let go.
Mabasa said it was badly injured and had to be put down.
(The leopard, after it was captured for examination - SANPArks)
“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 Mabasa.
A resident medical doctor has since treated the guide for injuries.
