Family and friends are still in shock over the tragic death of a 2-year-old boy who was attacked by a wild animal, leopard in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. The animal managed to access a fenced off area of the park and mauled the boy, who was the son of an employee. Relatives rushed him to the hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival, according to park officials.
The park said in a statement that such attacks are “very rare occurrences but always tragic when they do occur.”
The exact circumstances of the child’s death remained unclear as park officials maintained that animals were naturally afraid of human beings and did not usually get close to them. The officials were, however, quick to add that the leopard has been showing signs of losing its natural fear of humans.
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As people extend their condolences to the bereaved family and raise concerns about recent attacks by animals, it has also emerged that 14 lions have escaped from the same national park. It is unclear how the animals escaped from the park and officials have warned civilians to “be alert at all times” until the animals are captured.
The situation has created fear and panic among South Africans, particularly, residents living close to the Kruger Park. As tensions rise over this development and the recent attacks in parks around the world, here are 5 horrific times in Africa when people were either attacked or eaten alive by wild animals:
