SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU- Brighton Moyo from Shangani narrowly escaped death on March 10 when he was attacked by a leopard while herding cattle at Open Hammer farm in Mat South province.
Moyo is currently battling for life at Bethel Private Clinic in Gweru.
In an interview, Moyo said the fierce cat pounced on him from his back whilst he was driving cattle with an unnamed male counterpart.
“I was driving cattle to the kraal together with my workmate when the leopard jumped into the back of my head and scratched me. It then grabbed me by the left arm and I fell onto the ground. The animal maintained its grip and I screamed for help.
“My colleague rushed at the scene and he managed to hit the predator on its back using a log. It jumped off my body and disappeared into the thick bush.
“I struggled to get home because of pain and I was taken to Bethel Private Clinic where I am currently admitted,” he said.
When contacted for a comment, Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management (ZimParks ) Spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he was yet to receive the report.
“I am going to make a follow-up on the issue from our Gweru officers we haven’t received such a report,” he said.
The attack on Moyo shows a continued human -wildlife conflict with lots of lives having been lost.
It is however, rare for leopards to attack humans, but injured leopards and those that frequently raid livestock have been known to do this.
