The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
North-east woman mauled by cheetah
Scots tourist ‘lucky to be alive’ after mauling in South African safari park
A north- east woman is “lucky to be alive” after being mauled by two tame cheetahs while visiting a safari park in South Africa.
Violet D'mello, from Aberdeen, was wrestled to the groundbytheanimalsafter entering an enclosure at the Kragga Kamma game reserve, near the cityofport Elizabeth.
A guide managed to pull one cat off the60-year-old – who had stepped in to help after the animals began attacking an eight-year-old girl – but the other animal pinned her to the ground, mauling her head, legs and stomach.
It was only when a group of visitors were able to pull the second animal off that she escaped.
Her husband Archibald, who had been taking photographs outside the pen, was forced to stand helplessly as the cheetahs attacked his wife.
Last night, the couple’s daughter, Ria, told the Press and Journal that her mother was making a speedy recovery despite her injuries.
“It was such a shock and was obviously the last thing we expected,” said the 30year-old.
“But I’m so proud of what she did. She was protecting the child, her maternal instincts kicked in.
“She will probably be left with extensive scarring, but I’ve just spoken to her on the phone and she seems in good spirits.
“Some people might say it looks bad that my dad was taking pictures while it happened, but it tookhima while to realise exactly what was going on.”
Mrs D’mello, of the city’s Ashley Park North, was taken to hospital after the three- minute ordeal on Saturday, where she received
stitches for a wound on her head and treatment for injuries around her eye and leg.
She said she had to play dead so the animal would
stop attacking her, and that she was grateful she was able to escape.
“Both cheetahs were on meand there was nothing I could do. They have sharp claws that stick out of their paws and were really strong,” she said.
“It really came from nowhere and I was totally helpless. The doctor at the hospital said cheetahs usually aim for the stomach area and disembowel their victims, so Iwas lucky to be alive.
“This was meant to be a holiday, but it's turned into a nightmare,” said Mrs D’mello who has been able to continue her vacation.
Park managermike Cantor said he had raised the two four-year-old cheetahs – brothers named Mark and Monty – since they were born.
“They are not aggressive animals. The cheetahs probably thought it was a play time,” he said.
“It was a very busy at the park that day, which may have aggravated them.”