A leopard was shot dead after it had attacked and mauled a man who was herding cattle in the IsiBindi valley, in the Elandskraal area, over the weekend.

Sources told the Courier that the herders were tending to cattle when they noticed that the cattle were jittery and started running.

A large male leopard jumped onto one of the herders and he was badly mauled.  A fellow herder, who was armed, shot the big cat.

The herder was taken to hospital and treated for severe injuries.  Leopards are said to be more active in the area as humans encroach on their traditional territories.

Leopards are said to be excellent in controlling the monkey population, say local farmers