In a shocking incident, a rogue leopard attacked two men at a South African air force base near the renowned Kruger National Park over the weekend.
The South African government confirmed the incident in a press release, stating that the victims included a uniformed air force member and a civilian worker at the military base.
According to the Daily Caller, the air force member was jogging when the leopard pounced on him. The civilian worker had a similar violent encounter with the beast during a walk. The government's press release stated, The safety and well-being of our members are our top priorities, and we are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding these incidents. We are collaborating with wildlife experts and local authorities to assess the situation and implement appropriate measures to mitigate future risks.
Brigadier General Donavan Chetty informed the BBC that both victims were hospitalized but, fortunately, did not sustain major injuries. One of the victims has already been discharged, while the other is expected to be released on Thursday. The leopard responsible for the attacks was captured on Wednesday and relocated to a sanctuary 62 miles from the air base. The South African government has also issued a warning to locals, urging them to exercise vigilance and avoid solitary outdoor activities.
General Chetty revealed to the BBC that encounters with leopards are not uncommon in the area, although they are not typically dangerous. [The leopards] are basically in and amongst the human population, he said, emphasizing that it is impossible to contain these animals with fences.
The Kruger National Park, located near the air base, is a globally recognized safari destination. The park's website boasts, By far the largest game reserve in South Africa, it is larger than Israel nearly 2 million hectares of land that stretch for 352 kilometres (20 000 square kilometres) from north to south along the Mozambique border.
The park is home to all of Africas iconic safari species, along with 137 other mammals and over 500 varieties of birds. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of cohabitation between humans and wildlife in such areas.
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