Chimpanzees attack ranger
2012-06-28 22:26
Johannesburg - A ranger at a chimpanzee sanctuary near Mbombela was seriously injured when he was attacked by two of the animals while leading a tour group on Thursday afternoon, paramedics said.
Netcare 911 spokesperson Jeffrey Wicks said it appeared the ranger led the tour past an enclosure and he stood near the fence.
"According to eyewitnesses, two chimpanzees grabbed the man by his feet and pulled him under the perimeter fence and into the enclosure."
The man was dragged into the large enclosure while being attacked by the two animals.
"Paramedics arrived at the scene and entered the enclosure with armed escorts. They arrived to find the ranger in a critical condition, having sustained multiple and severe bite wounds."
He was stabilised at the scene and transported by ambulance to a hospital in Nelspruit. No one else was injured in the incident.
- SAPA
