A man is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a leopard on Farm Steenvlei outside Kleinzee in the Northern Cape on Thursday (September 24). 

Andries ‘Vollie’ de Waal (43) was part of a group hunting jackals as a predator control initiative to protect livestock in the area. 

He was accompanied by his father, Willie, farm owner Willem van Dyk and several farm workers. 

“Following the withdrawal of De Beers [a mining company] from large parts of the area, a number of farms have remained relatively dormant, and there are considerably fewer active livestock farmers than there were historically,” says Veronica van Dyk, the farm owner’s wife. 

She adds that this has created large and sparsely populated areas in which jackals and other predators can multiply. 

“For the remaining livestock farmers, predator control is sometimes necessary to protect livestock,” Veronica says.  

“In this context, ‘problem animals’ refers to predators such as jackals that cause losses to livestock and therefore need to be managed.” 

Sudden encounter in thick bush 

She says that while on the hunt, the group noticed a relatively large track on the ground. 

“One of the farm workers followed the spoor on a motorcycle for about 20km,” says Veronica.  

“Because of the thick, soft sand, they initially thought it might be a dog that had come onto the property from a neighbouring farm. 

“At one point, the worker called the others and indicated that there was something in a bush,” she adds.  

“From the sound it was making, particularly the hissing or blowing sound, he believed it could be a cat.” 

The vehicles stopped about 10 to 15m from the bush. 

“According to those present, the leopard suddenly came out of the bush and went directly towards Andries, who was standing on the back of the vehicle with two other people,” says Veronica. 

Facial injuries 

She adds that Andries managed to use the rifle he was holding to prevent the leopard from reaching his throat, but the animal ‘caught’ him in the face. 

“Those who witnessed the attack described it as almost appearing to happen in slow motion, although in reality everything happened within seconds,” says Veronica. 

“It was completely unexpected, and Andries had to react extremely quickly.” 

She adds that the leopard eventually released him. 

“There are scratch marks on the rifle and on the vehicle where its claws struck,” she says.  

“Importantly, no shots were fired at the leopard. Andries sustained significant injuries to his face. His lip was badly torn, and he suffered wounds caused by the leopard’s claws. Fortunately, he was wearing glasses at the time, and his eyes were not injured. We have also been informed that there may be a fracture to his cheekbone.” 

Medical attention and wildlife tracking 

Veronica says the nearest doctors and hospital are in Springbok, about 100km away, and the group’s priority was to get Andries medical attention. 

She adds that everyone involved was understandably shocked. 

Andries remains in hospital and is recovering well. 

“According to his mother, once the swelling has subsided, the doctors will determine whether he needs to be transferred to Upington for further assessment or possible surgery,” says Veronica.  

“If the treating doctor is satisfied with his recovery and no further intervention is required, he may simply be discharged.” 

Veronica says Willem had contacted Namaqua National Park to request assistance with setting a cage in case the leopard needed to be captured and relocated. 

On Friday (September 25), Willem and his farm workers returned to the area and followed the leopard’s spoor. They determined from the spoor that the leopard had left the farm. 

Birthday 

Andries will turn 44 on Saturday (October 3). 

“He was initially in shock, which is understandable considering what had happened,” says Veronica. 

 “He is extremely grateful to be alive and also grateful that nobody else was injured. Surviving such a close encounter with a leopard is something very few people will ever experience.” 

Rare incident 

“To our knowledge, this is the first incident of this nature involving a person in our immediate area. Leopard attacks on people are not a normal occurrence in this area,” she adds.  

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