Two men are recuperating in the Nyangana Hospital after being mauled by a leopard at Tjaratjara Village in the Kavango East Region.
The two were attacked early this week while tracking their lost cattle around their village.
Bernhard Haushiku and his brother-in-law Cosmas Mukoya went out to look for their lost cattle after learning that there was a report of a wild animal attacking livestock in the village.
The two left the house in the early morning hours with four dogs in tow and armed with a panga and axe.
“The dogs then started running in front of us, and they stopped at a thick bush and started barking. We did not know what was going on, so I ran towards them. Just when I got closer, I realised it was a leopard, and I tried to escape, but it was faster than me. I felt a slap on my waist, and it started biting me, and that’s all I can remember as I lost consciousness shortly after.”
According to Haushiku, the leopard that attacked them appeared injured.
Haushiku, who suffered injuries to his waist, added that this was the first time a wild animal attacked humans in the village, but there are incidents of livestock attacks.
Mukoya, who suffered severe injuries to his right thigh and hand, recounted his terrifying experience, stating, “When I heard my brother-in-law calling for help, I thought it would be better for us to die together. I decided to run back and assist him. I was holding onto an ox and struck the animal four times. It finally released my brother-in-law but then turned its aggression toward me. I tried to wrestle with the animal, and it bit me on the thigh. I began screaming for help, but no one came to my aid. I don’t know where I found the strength, but I managed to pry open the leopard’s mouth so it would let go of my thigh. I lost a lot of energy in the struggle, and when it released my thigh, it bit my hand instead, leaving a hole in it. I was just shouting for help.”
A worker at a nearby farm heard the commotion and responded by rescuing the victims and gunning down the predator.
They were then taken to a farmhouse, and first aid was applied while they were waiting for an ambulance, which arrived later in the afternoon.
The two victims of the human-wildlife attack are in stable condition, according to hospital staff.
Mukoya said Ministry of Environment and Tourism representatives visited them for enquiries and promised to help.
Mukoya says it is not clear as to when they will return as promised for further clarification.