UPDATE: Vidal hyena still on the loose
The leopard was darted and released some distance from the campsite
ATTEMPTS to trap the hyena responsible for biting a holidaymaker at Cape Vidal campsite last week have proved futile and, in one instance, left park staff surprised with what they trapped instead.
‘A trap was set, rangers waited, but with no success the first night.
‘The next night, the trap was set off but instead of a spotted hyena inside, it was a great big leopard which was none too happy to be trapped in a cage,’ recorded Wild Vet on his Facebook page.
In the early hours of last Wednesday morning, after much effort, the leopard was darted so it could be released elsewhere in the park. The hyena remains elusive and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority said in a statement it is currently sourcing a second walk-in trap.
‘Rangers have been out each night trapping and will continue,’ said iSimangaliso’s Media Officer, Siyabonga Mhlongo.
While there are rumours that last week’s hyena incident was not the first in recent months at Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso’s Media Officer said there are no other confirmed incidents.
