These British tourists' knew they were in an open safari truck and the dangers of animal attack were imminent; does the guidelines say you kill the animals? It's should be known it's these visitors who were trespassing the animals territory. Would this be a similar case if it took place or happened in England? We go to animal parks with car windows closed and sign all over indicating that we should not wind down the windows due to the dangers of animals attack. This animal should not have been killed, it's the human beings who are to blame for riding open top truck and expect the animal to behave as though it had not seen or smelt good. Jungle rules for Africa and part rules for Europe? Tough love, animals are all equal; we are not in animal farm.
Friday, July 3, 2015
A safari tour guide from the UK survived a leopard attack after tourists threw objects including a bag at the animal as it tried to get into the truck.
The shocking incident happened at the Kruger National Park in South Africa, as visitors were being shown around the famous site.
Curtis Plumb, 38, of Nhongo Safari Tours, sustained deep cuts and bites to the arm. He remains in hospital in a stable condition.
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This is the moment safari guide Curtis Plumb was attacked by a leopard as it tried to get into the tour truck
The leopard was injured, with park officials believing it had been in a fight with another animal
The leopard tried in vain to cling on to the truck as the guide made a quick escape
Evasive action was taken to secure the safety of the tourists and the leopard was ran over in the aftermath
The leopard struggled back to its feet after being shunted by the tourist truck
The mauling just after 1pm on Thursday was caught on camera by tourist Grant Ford and his 13-year-old son, who watched the horrifying incident unfold before their eyes.
According to Mr Ford’s eyewitness account, Mr Plumb stopped his vehicle full of tourists to watch the big cat after they spotted it in the bush.
It was then the predator suddenly attacked.
Mr Ford said: ‘The ranger peered over the side of the vehicle to see where the animal was. It was alongside him.
‘Without warning or provocation it launched itself into the safari truck and grabbed the ranger’s arm. Fortunately he had a bush jacket on.
‘What followed was insane. The occupants of the safari truck were screaming.
‘Some of the people seated behind the ranger tried to help by beating the animal with their cameras.’
The leopard firstly provided a great photograph for the tourists, that changed to a terrifying incident
A bag was launched at the leopard by a tourist in the truck as it sank it’s teeth into Mr Plumb, and the door of the vehicle on the left was used to hit the animal
Witnesses say the occupants of a Hyundai minivan travelling ahead then rammed the leopard with their car door. But it still did not release its grip on the guide.
Mr Plumb was able to reverse the vehicle and free himself from the leopard’s grip – but even that was not the end of the ordeal.
Mr Ford said: ‘The leopard charged after the vehicle and hunted it down.
‘It leaped onto the bonnet of the vehicle in an apparent attempt to get to the occupants. The ranger then braked and the animal fell to the ground.
‘Again it launched itself at the vehicle. The ranger was left with no alternative than to take it out. He drove over the animal’s hind legs. It got up clearly injured.
‘The minivan then also went at it and drove over the leopard.’
The leopard stalked the tourist vehicle, and was said to have surprised the tour guide
Shocking pictures show the leopard leaping up to the truck filled with tourists at Kruger National Park
Park officials said in a statement the animal ‘cunningly disappeared’ from view and then sprang a surprise attack, pouncing on the guide’s arm.
Gerty Greyling, a paramedic of Lifemed, told Lowvelder: ‘The leopard jumped inside the vehicle and Plumb apparently started hitting the animal with his other fist.
‘The predator got hold of his other arm and another occupant inside Plumb’s vehicle threw a bag at the leopard.’
Mr Mario Paul, also a safari guide, added: ‘I drove past the leopard too. It appeared very thin and ill and showed a lot of interest in the vehicles.’
Arno Pietersen, who witnessed the action unfolding from further away, said: ‘The driver of the safari truck looked like he was pointing out of his vehicle at a woman behind, telling her to stop leaning out.
‘His arm outside the window must have triggered the leopard into action, I was surprised at what happened next.’
William Mambasa, general manager Kruger National Park said: ‘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.’
The leopard is pictured 30 minutes before it attacked a field guide, at Kruger National Park
After being hit, the leopard sneaks back off to the bush, limping from the collision
This photo shows the leopard grounding after launching its attack on a safari park guide
The leopard suffered further injuries when the guide accidentally reversed onto it as he sped away after being released from its grip, Mabasa said.
The animal was later put down.
The Nhongo Safaris website lists Mr Plumb as being from the UK, deciding to work in South Africa due to his ‘love of the bush and nature.’
‘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 profile reads.
Terrified tourists stack up behind the truck as the leopard began its assault
Grant Ford (left) pictured with his family including his 13-year-old son Mikey (second right) captured the footage
On the attack, a spokesman for SANParks told MailOnline Travel: This is a very rare occurrence. The animal was captured and was found to be in a very poor state.
‘It is estimated to be 16 to 17 years old, its fangs were worn out which means it might not have had a meal in a long time. It had TB and was very emaciated.
‘The attack on the OSV truck was perhaps a desperate attempt at getting a meal unfortunately a guide became a victim.
‘He is being treated in hospital and SANParks is grateful to the other tourists who assisted him.’
Last month, a 22-year-old American tourist died after she was mauled by a lion which leapt through an open car window in a park outside Johannesburg.
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