Hunters kill leopard in Mtubatuba
COMMUNITY members confronted and stabbed a leopard to death with spears in the KwaNtshengwane area, outside Mtubatuba, on Sunday.
It is believed the leopard escaped from the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park and reportedly killed goats in the area.
Wildlife Act representative, Sbangani Dladla, tasked with linking communities with game park authorities, said residents must report dangerous wild animals they notice in their areas.
‘On Sunday a few men went hunting, and while they were in the bush they came across the leopard,' said Dladla.
'With the assistance of their dogs they managed to kill it. Apart from some dogs injured in the process, no one was hurt.
‘When I received information about the incident, it was too late as they had already killed it. Some hunters claimed the leopard killed their livestock.
‘When I arrived at the scene they had already skinned it and taken its meat away to their homes for cooking,' Dladla said.
‘These animals are very dangerous and I urge communities to report to us when they see one in their areas. Leopards are a protected species and it is a crime to kill them.
'The community must understand that if they keep on killing these scarce animals, our children will only read about them in books as they will be no more.'
Another resident, Vusi Mkhwanazi of the eMvutshini area outside Mtubatuba, believes it is likely that another leopard is 'hiding in the bush as they usually move in pairs'.
‘In 2011, a man was killed by a leopard and his friend left critically injured, but I am also against the unnecessary killing of leopards,’ Mkhwanzi said. KZN Ezemvelo Wildlife spokesperson, Musa Mntambo, said he was not aware of the incident, but would follow up.