Man killed hunting a buffalo outside Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park

A man was killed outside the Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park (HiP), in northern KZN, on Sunday in an incident involving a buffalo.

While the circumstances surrounding the incident are still being investigated, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife CEO Sihle Mkhize says reports were received earlier that morning of a buffalo seen outside HiP near the Mashiya gate.

“As inclement weather prevented the helicopter [from taking off], the community decided to hunt the buffalo.

“Ezemvelo field rangers stationed at Siqwashi Outpost heard a gunshot outside HiP. They reacted and found a group of people gathered around the deceased body of a man,” says Mkhize.

The man was killed by the buffalo.

“The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with living near wildlife, despite our best efforts to ensure safety measures are in place. At HiP, the safety and well-being of our visitors and surrounding communities are our top priorities.

“We have robust protocols in place to minimise potential risks and ensure the protection of both humans and wildlife. However, nature can be unpredictable, and tragic events like this remind us of the need for constant vigilance and ongoing efforts to enhance safety measures,” Mkhize says.

He added that Ezemvelo is co-operating with local authorities and conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

“Our team is committed to learning from this experience and implementing any necessary changes to prevent similar incidents from occurring in future. We understand that this tragedy has deeply affected our community, and we are here to offer our support and assistance in any way we can.”

Mkhize expressed his condolences to those involved.