A leopard has attacked two men at a South African Air Force base adjacent to the renowned Kruger National Park.
One of the victims, a member of the Air Force, was assaulted while jogging. The other, a civilian employed at the base, encountered the leopard during a walk, according to an air force spokesperson.
Both men sustained scratches but no serious injuries and were taken to the hospital. Brig. Gen. Donavan Chetty reported to the BBC that one individual has been discharged, while the other is expected to be released on Thursday.
On Wednesday, authorities captured the leopard and transported it to a sanctuary approximately 100 km (62 miles) from the Hoedspruit Air Force Base.
This action followed the recent attacks.
Gen. Chetty mentioned that while leopard encounters are common near the park, they are typically not dangerous.
The Kruger National Park, known for its abundant wildlife and major tourist attraction, is largely enclosed by fences.
However, Gen. Chetty noted that leopards, due to their agility, are difficult to confine with fencing.
“[The leopards] are basically in and amongst the human population,” he said, adding that around 150 of them are known to be living in the area.
Leopards are nocturnal animals that hunt a variety of prey, including wildebeest, antelope, and fish, the Kruger National Park website says.
