Claim against SANParks for attack by bushbuck in Letaba Rest Camp

SKUKUZA – South African National Parks (SANParks) has been charged in the Pretoria High Court for injuries a young girl had sustained during a bushbuck attack.

According to a report in The Citizen, the bushbuck’s horns allegedly gored the child’s face.

The family was on holiday at the time and stayed at the Letaba Rest Camp one night in August 2011.

The girl’s mother alleged that the bushbuck appeared to be tame.

Her daughter, who was eight at the time, fed the animal a biscuit

The child was fascinated by it and went inside to fetch more cookies.

When she extended her hand to feed the buck again, it attacked her with its horns and cut open her jaw.

She is claiming R633 000 in damages from SANParks, as well as from the management of Letaba Rest Camp.

The Pretoria East mother, who cannot be identified in order to protect her daughter, declared in a statement in the Pretoria High Court on Friday, September 11, that before the incident, the bushbuck was walking freely among chalets and other visitors. “It was clear that they were well acquainted with the area and with the guests. The bushbuck did not seem to be aggressive and there was no indication that they were dangerous, or that anyone was scared of them,” she stated.

After the attack the child was hysterical and her parents took her to the duty manager at the camp hoping that someone would attend to her injuries.

The mother stated that they explained to the head ranger what had happened.

He apparently just said: “When this happens we escort the buck from the camp”.

The mother said there was no first-aid kit on the premises and no one was trained to assist the child.

They managed to find a bandage to wrap around her jaw to stop the bleeding.

They rushed to the nearest doctor about 50 kilometres away.

According to her, the doctor told them that another child had also been attacked at this camp by a bushbuck before.

She further stated that the duty manager confirmed the incident and said they were “going to do something about the bushbuck responsible for the attack”.

She said camp management had a duty to take care of its visitors and ensure that wild animals were kept away from visitors.

The spokesman for SANParks, Mr Reynold Thakhuli, told Lowvelder that “SANParks is aware of the matter reported in print media. In consequence of the matter being defended, we will not make any statements in respect thereof.”

No date has yet been set for the next court hearing.