WATCH | Leopard successfully captured in Komatipoort residential area
The leopard was first spotted in this area on Sunday night, March 30, and news of the sighting spread like wildfire on social media.
A sickly subadult male leopard was safely captured in a residential area in Komatipoort earlier today, April 4.
The leopard was first sighted in this town’s streets on Sunday night, March 30.
The managing director of Wild and Free Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WAF), Deidre Joubert, said several role players came on board to capture the animal. She said they put a cage where they suspected the leopard was sleeping at night.
We believe it was not yet fit and ready to hunt for itself. It was therefore looking for easy prey, such as dogs and cats,” said Joubert.
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She said after word of the leopard sighting went viral people started driving around at night with spotlights hoping to see it. “This made the leopard more agitated and dangerous,” explained Joubert.
When the leopard was eventually captured it looked thin and sickly. “The leopard posed a real threat to the public and while its appearance in a residential area raised concerns, only the wildlife vets will be able to confirm whether it was sick or injured, which may have led to this behaviour,” said Joubert.
Dr Peet Venter, a local vet, sedated the leopard before it was taken away in a bakkie. It was handed over to the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.
The role players included the local Community Police Forum, Securicon Komatipoort, Terence Porter of Nkomazi Municipal Rangers and Mark de Beer of WAF.
“A huge thank you to everyone involved. Teamwork and dedication to both human and wildlife safety made this possible,” said Joubert.
*This article was amended after it was published. Lowvelder apologises for any confusion caused.
