Starving leopard attacks terrified couple in Botswana
A couple’s camping trip in Botswana turned into a nightmare when a starving leopard attacked them during the night.
A camping trip at the Bosobogolo camp in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park became a harrowing ordeal for a couple earlier this month when a starving leopard attacked them at night.
THE COUPLE HAD A TERRIFYING ENCOUNTER WITH A STARVING LEOPARD
The couple, Gavin and Jill Allderman, who were enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of the evening, suddenly found themselves in a life-threatening situation as the leopard targeted their tent.
Gavin shared their experience on social media.
“After a little braai, we packed up camp, securing all our equipment as we had heard lions in the distance the previous night.
“Jill showered and got into the rooftop tent. I was finishing showering when I noticed an animal in the murky edges of the circle of light.
“I yelled, “Jill, a leopard”, but in the low light, had doubts and thought it could perhaps be a cheetah….. big mistake!”Gavin said.
THEY COULD SEE THE ANIMAL WAS EMACIATED AND GAUNT
Gavin hurriedly secured their motion sensor lights around the Hilux and clambered into the tent.
“We zipped up the gauze insect protective coverings and, feeling secure, lay in bed reading.
“We became aware of the animal circling the vehicle as the motion sensor lights triggered. At one point, we noticed the ‘cheetah’ had crawled under the bakkie, with only its tail visible.”
He noted that they could observe the animal was completely emaciated and gaunt.
IN THE EARLY HOURS OF THE MORNING THEY COULD SEE THE ANIMAL CLIMBING UP
“At about 1:30, I jerked awake, having heard movement on the ladder. Sitting bolt upright, instantly wide awake, I peered down the ladder and saw the animal climbing up.
“He’s coming up the ladder,” I shouted. Screaming and swearing were no deterrent as he scrambled up and launched himself onto the tent’s gauze, his claws gripping the thin fabric, and his head was inches from my face.
Gavin said he started punching at it furiously in the face with all his might.
“I realised we were now bare-fisted fighting for our lives. Both of us were shouting and screaming, Jill from behind me, hitting with a pillow at its paws, and then with her book.”he added.
THE LEOPARD LAUNCHED HIMSELF ONTO THE TENT’S GAUZE, HIS CLAWS GRIBBING THE THIN FABRIC
He said that now and again, the animal pulled its head back in a terrifying gesture as if to attack and bite through the gauze.
“I became aware that there was blood spattering in copious amounts, but just carried on punching and shouting, adrenaline coursing through my body in this fight for life.
He furthermore said his hand was bleeding profusely.
“Terrifyingly, during the whole attack, there wasn’t a sound from the animal; it was just jagged breathing as it concentrated on the assault. There was no flight option at this point.
“The terror is palatable as I write this. Using all my energy, I must have punched at least 30 times.”
GAVIN SAID HE MUST HAVE PUNCHED THE LEOPARD AT LEAST 30 TIMES
After what seemed like an eternity, the leopard finally withdrew, allowing the couple a momentary reprieve.
Gavin managed to slip down the ladder into the vehicle and drove slowly to camp number 2, about 3 km away.
The next morning, Gavin and Jill met a French couple, both vets, “who very kindly redressed the wound and gave advice regarding rabies and tetanus shots.”
THE LEOPARD FINALLY WITHDREW AFTER WHAT SEEMED LIKE AN ETERNITY
“This was such an unexpected, terrifying, and horrific experience which is taking time to assimilate. However, one must accept that visiting the wild is a highly risky activity.
“I have been going to Mabua for 43 years, almost every year and sometimes 2 or 3 times a year, so regard myself as reasonably experienced.
“I have always carried an axe and a divers knife into the tent with me, but the recent acquisition of a rooftop tent has made me feel safer, so I have let this practice slip. Big mistake! “Gavin said.