Problem leopard in Kruger National Park darted, relocated
The leopard that left numerous tourists and workers frightened for a couple of days at Masorini picnic spot, was darted and relocated to a different area.
Concerned Kruger National Park visitors contacted PHALABORWA HERALD on several occasions about a leopard that was spotted at the Masorini picnic spot less than 2 kilometres from Phalaborwa Gate.
The picnic spot, which is used by the Kruger National Park visitors for lunch, breakfast, bathroom breaks and site seeing of the area, was allegedly reported unsafe by visitors.
A credible source told the HERALD that, “I saw it walking around the picnic spot and it seemed like it was not scared of people and just wanted to be around them.”
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Even after several attempts by people to scare away the orange-brown with solid black spots cat, it would not go anywhere.
“As we were having lunch at the picnic spot, the leopard just sat by the rocks above us and looked down on us with no fear whatsoever,” an eyewitness told the HERALD.
Another eyewitness relayed they thought that these cats were terrified of people. “The leopard looked like it was used to having people around, as in people used to look after it and they just released it, because it did not want to leave no matter how many times we tried to scare it away,” an eyewitness told the HERALD.
SANParks media practitioner, Laura Mukwevho, confirmed that a young sub-adult female leopard had been spotted roaming around Masorini recently.
“Staff and some tourists have indeed reported the sighting and suggested that it has indeed lost fear for people,” SANParks media practitioner, Laura Mukwevho told the HERALD.
Reasons as to why the leopard has allegedly lost the fear of humans are unknown, even to the reporter of this story.
“It is suspected that the animal has been kicked out of its family and has been trying to find new territory,” said a statement issued by SANParks.
The statement given to the HERALD also explained that in cases like this, the case is treated with a high priority and all possible factors and options are taken into account.
“In matters of this nature, each case is treated on merit taking all possible factors and options into account; therefore the leopard was captured on Wednesday, May 2, relocated and released somewhere in the Park far from the picnic site,” Laura Mukwevho said in a statement.
Whether the female leopard will return to the picnic spot or not is unclear at this stage, but Mukwevho said that the situation is being monitored closely to see if there is a possibility it might return.
