Times Of Swaziland: WARNING: LEOPARD IN MALKERNS

WARNING: LEOPARD IN MALKERNS
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Delisa Thwala on 07/06/2022 15:27:00


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.