Three killed in Kruger attacks

2003-11-14 12:22

Thandee N’wa Mhangwana

Skukuza - Three people have been killed and two injured in animal attacks in the Kruger National Park in the past three months.

Park spokesperson Raymond Travers said at least two attacks, namely an attack on a suspected Mozambican poacher last month, and a crocodile attack on a teenager fishing illegally in the park in September, were a result of people disobeying park rules.

"People need to understand that animals are wild and unpredictable and do not live according to the rules of man," he said.

"If people don't comply with the rules of the park, the chances are animals will attack them." Other attacks have been on a ranger, a park official's child and a tour guide.

In August nine-year-old Tshikani Nobela was killed by a leopard just metres from his house in the workers' village in Skukuza.

In September, field ranger Alfred Sithole survived being trampled by an elephant while looking for illegal fishing nets. He'd startled her and her calf.

That same month, a tour guide was injured when a leopard leapt into the open-air vehicle near Satara rest camp in September.

The animal was later shot dead when it was discovered that it had been hit by a car. The injury could possibly have caused its aggression.

Travers said animals do not just attack, unless they see a threat or potential food.

He warned visitors not to walk outside protected areas or marked stopping areas without a trained, armed guide. They may not leave their cars except on specified roads at specified times.

"If people stick their heads, arms or any part of their bodies out of their cars, for whatever reason, they risk danger to themselves," Travers warned.

- African Eye