WARNING: LEOPARD IN MALKERNS

MBABANE – Hlane National Royal Park Head Ranger George Mbatha is pleading with residents of Malkerns to be on high alert after a leopard was spotted in the area.

The leopard was spotted in the early hours of yesterday morning. Mbatha said they had received a report from concerned and scared residents about the animal. “They need to be on high alert; this is a very dangerous animal when provoked. Steer clear of trees when walking with dogs. Unfortunately, we cannot tame or control this animal, as most of them live in huge forests which we have in the country,” said Mbatha.

Provoke

Mbatha added that they were keeping tabs on any developments on the big cat and its movements, but emphasised that people should not provoke it or make eye-contact with it because it would definitely attack. “We will receive information of any developments from our rangers in the Mlilwane vicinity, who are on high alert and we will report to the media of any developments,” he said. According to the National Geographic website, leopards are fast felines and can run at up to 58km/h. They are super springy, and can leap six metres forward through the air and that is the length of three adults lying head to toe. “Leopards are very solitary and spend most of their time alone. They each have their own territory, and leave scratches on trees, urine scent marks and poop to warn other leopards to stay away. Males and females will cross territories, but only to mate,” reads the website in part. In addition, the website reported that these big cats had a varied diet and enjoyed different kinds of grub.  They eat bugs, fish, antelope, monkeys, rodents; deer…in fact, pretty much any prey that is available.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer Superintendent Phindile Vilakati confirmed the report of a leopard being on the loose.  Meanwhile Head Ranger Mbatha has disclosed that the country has at least over 10 leopards. He said they were mostly found in places like Mdzimba, Bhunya, Hlane bushes. He said only a few were kept in the reserves because others preferred being in the bushes. “We have them across the country, they like staying in trees and hunting, so they are all over the country. We may not have the exact number but we do have them in the country,” he said.

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