A leopard attacked two men at the Hoedspruit air force base in South Africa, adjacent to the renowned Kruger National Park. The incidents, which occurred last week, involved an air force member in uniform who was attacked while jogging, and a civilian worker who encountered the leopard during a walk on the base.
Brigadier General Donavan Chetty, speaking to the BBC, confirmed that both men were hospitalized with scratches but sustained no major injuries. One victim has already been discharged, while the other is expected to leave the hospital on Thursday.
Following the attacks, authorities captured the leopard on Wednesday and relocated it to a sanctuary approximately 100km (62 miles) from the Hoedspruit air force base. General Chetty noted that while leopard encounters are common for those living and working near the park, they are not usually dangerous.
Despite the Kruger National Park being mostly fenced, General Chetty explained that leopards can easily bypass these barriers due to their agility. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of human-wildlife coexistence in areas bordering national parks and wildlife reserves.
Leopards, known as nocturnal predators, hunt various prey including wildebeest, antelope, and fish, according to the Kruger National Park website. The park is home to an estimated 150 leopards in the area.
This event serves as a reminder of the proximity of wildlife to human settlements and workplaces in certain parts of South Africa, and the importance of maintaining awareness and safety protocols in such environments. As human development continues to encroach on wildlife habitats, incidents like these underscore the need for ongoing efforts to manage the delicate balance between conservation and human safety.
