Johannesburg, South Africa
GRAAFF-REINET WOMAN ATTACKED BY BUFFALO
A Graaff-Reinet woman is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a buffalo while she was walking in the Mountain Zebra National Park, South African National Parks said on Monday.
Marna Els and her husband, Alid, were walking along the unguided 10km Idwala hiking trail in the Eastern Cape game reserve when the buffalo ran out of a bush, pushed her over and ran back into the bush.
Her husband summoned help, and ambulance staff were driven to where she was, 4km from the starting point of the trail, to stabilise her.
She suffered five broken ribs, a broken collar-bone and grazes, and was driven back to the ambulance in the park rangers’ vehicle and taken to a hospital in Port Elizabeth.
Her condition was stable on Monday.
”Our thoughts and prayers are with Mrs Els and her family during this time of recovery,” said park manager Lesley Ann Meyer.
It is the first time someone has been injured by an animal at the park since it was proclaimed in 1937.
”We urge visitors on the hiking trails to continue to remain vigilant at all times to ensure that they are aware of any potentially dangerous animals such as buffalo, black rhino and cheetah,” said Meyer.
Communications manager Megan Taplin said it appeared that Els and the buffalo had surprised each other when their paths crossed.
She said the buffalo could have killed Els, but chose rather to knock her over and run away. — Sapa