No trace of leopard spotted inside Kruger rest camp

There have been no fresh signs of a leopard spotted inside one of the Kruger National Park's visitor camps. 

South African National Parks (SANParks)' Ike Phaatla says staff members and guests staying at Berg en Dal Rest Camp reported sightings of the animal from Tuesday, leading to SANParks advising visitors to be cautious whilst walking around the camps in the Park to limit the risk of a possible confrontation with the animals or injury. 

“A young leopard at Berg en Dal is alleged to have killed a bushbuck on Wednesday night near the Camping site; Rangers were out at the first light...to flush it out but found no trace of the cat. A male adult leopard was seen outside the fence and circling the same camp as if stalking something... We also received a report from a tourist via social media that a frantic looking female leopard was seen up a tree on S110 gravel road; he later saw a young leopard running towards Berg en Dal as if being chased away”; indicated Phaahla. 

Phaahla further explained that there was a possibility the leopard sightings were linked because all leopards are highly territorial and these animals could be fighting for territory. 

However, he notes that traps were set inside the camp overnight on Friday and have yielded no results. 

No fresh spoors were seen either, leading the park authorities to believe that the leopard has left the camp. 

Rangers remain on alert though and the public are still urged to exercise caution. 

Phaatla added: “We would like to warn those who habituate the animals such as baboons by feeding them to refrain from such as the animals start staying in the camps hoping for food; thereby attracting predators which places humans under threat and might lead to the destruction of the animals. It is an offence to feed wild animals therefore people must familiarise themselves with the general rules of the Park which are found on the permits they receive at the gates."