Field ranger wounded by buffalo in Kruger National Park
The buffalo was shot dead to rescue the injured field ranger who was holding onto the animal by its horns.
A field ranger based at the Pretoriuskop section in Kruger National Park (KNP) was charged and injured by a buffalo on Tuesday, August 13.
According to the KNP’s spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, the field ranger and his colleague were on patrol near the Sabie River when the buffalo charged at them from behind a thicket.
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The injured ranger managed to hold onto the horns of the animal until his colleague shot it dead.
“The ranger on site placed an emergency call, after which his colleague was attended to by a local doctor and stabilised on the scene before he was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital where he is receiving further medical attention,” he said.
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Phaahla said the SANParks board and management extend their well wishes to the ranger on behalf of all staff.
In line with established protocols, a debriefing report will be compiled by the Rangers Corps regarding the incident and the results will be furnished to the KNP management committee.
SANParks will also provide the ranger’s family with access to trauma counselling.
