A leopard sprinted through the Nkuhlu Picnic Site in the Kruger National Park on 17 August, causing panic in a crowd of unsuspecting brunch-goers.
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A male leopard struck a moment of panic amongst Kruger National Park guests visiting the Nkuhlu Picnic Site located between the Lower Sabie and Skukuza rest camps on 17 August, when it darted through the picnic spot’s terrace, chasing two bushbuck through the area.
According to Dewald Venter, a guest who captured the moment on video, the scenario unfurled when what sounded like two grunting impalas turned out to be a leopard chasing its prey – two busbuck, leading the leopard on a chase through the public picnic spot.
“The leopard chased them right along the front of the terrace,” he said, as per Lowveld Media:
“The leopard, not successful in its hunt for prey, paused for a few moments on the terrace, considering its options. With people on either side and the river behind, the leopard chose the way through the picnic spot as an exit, leaving people screaming and running in every direction,” he added.
In the clip, originally uploaded by Venter to the SANParks – Kruger National Park group on Facebook, the crowd is heard panicking as the leopard dashes through the site.
Thankfully, the leopard harms no one, making a swift exit up the stairs, past the shop, across the parking, and back into the bush, says Venter.
The rare occurrence underlines an important aspect of the bush – whether you’re in a tent, safari vehicle or a public picnic spot – the wild is still the wild.
“[It was] an absolute once-in-a-lifetime experience but a reminder that the Kruger is wild, even at the picnic spots” said Venter.
As per Mpumalanga News, Kruger National Park spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, says:
“The KNP is an open system and this rare occurrence emphasises the fact that we should be aware that dangerous animals lurk around the park.”
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