Couple relive nightmare buffalo attack
Having barely survived a bloody buffalo bush encounter last month, Andrew and Tracey Zaloumis are slowly on the mend.
The iSimangaliso Wetland Park CEO and his wife were severely gored while walking with a small group in a remote section of the Eastern Shores in KwaZulu-Natal, Zululand Observer reported.
The couple is steadily recovering from wounds that have left their bodies badly scarred but with no permanent disabilities. Tracey suffered a fracture of the lumbar vertebrae and a badly gored thigh, while the buffalo’s horns pierced Andrew’s abdomen, resulting in kidney damage and three broken ribs.
He also suffered collar bone injury and tore ligaments around both knees.
“We had the misfortune of surprising an old dugga boy, well-screened by a cluster of deep green bushes. It was a few metres off, and I had no choice but to stand while those under my charge climbed trees,” Andrew said.
“It happened fast. I saw the blur of buffalo and reacted. I shouted a warning over my left shoulder and knew it was face or flee,” he added.
According to Andrew, he then instinctively turned to his side in an attempt to limit the damage.
“The tip of its left horn hooked into the side of my abdomen cracking ribs and bruising my right kidney. It pulled its head up, twisting as the horn came out of my body and its boss connected a solid blow to the side of my temple leaving an imprint and deep cut,”
He added the impact pushed him backwards before catapulting him into the air.
“The next thing I knew I had walked up to Tracey and was telling her to stand up – we had a walk to the end and guests to take care of. Apparently I had been unconscious for some minutes, while the rest of the party came out from behind their places of safety,” he said.
Filled with appreciation for their safe delivery through the painful ordeal, the trauma is also mitigated by the tremendous public support they have received.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone involved. The enormous number of messages, calls, gifts, prayers, well wishes and offers of assistance in many different ways, from community near and far, is truly appreciated,” Andrew said.
Read More: KZN Wetland Park CEO, wife ‘attacked’ by buffalo
Couple discharged after Wetland Park buffalo attack
– Caxton News Service
Read original story on zululandobserver.co.za
