Gemsbok attack walkers in game reserve
2010-11-23 10:08



Marietjie Gericke, Die Volksblad

Bloemfontein - Gemsbok stormed and injured several walkers taking part in a fun walk at a Free State game lodge over the weekend.

Two of the injured, Amanda Appelgryn and her daughter Janecke, 8, were admitted to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic with several tissue injuries.

Esmé van Wijk also ended up in hospital after she and her two friends, Elsie Geeringh and Sonja van Wyk, were attacked by a gemsbok while other walkers were watching.

About 455 walkers took part in the Klingelklokkie fun walk in aid of Volksblad's Christmas fund, which was held for the tenth time on Saturday at Sangiro Lodge near Bloemfontein. The route is in the shape of a horseshoe, said Appelgryn.

Flew through the air

"When we came back, a gemsbok attacked us from the right. I wanted to protect Janecke but the buck hit me on the arm," she said.

"Jan (her husband) and Janecke flew through the air."

Janecke was walking between her parents. The couple's other daughter, Rista-Mari, 12, was about 20m behind them.

"I landed in a prickly pear bush and my leg was full of thorns. Jan was badly bruised from the fall and Janecke's eyes started rolling."

Appelgryn then contacted ER24 paramedics, who were on duty outside the camp.

Janecke was tied to a plate, which supported her spinal cord, and was given oxygen in an ambulance.

"Paramedics helped to get the thorns from my hand and leg. My arm was bandaged in the ambulance."

Janecke's neck, jaw and head were scanned at the hospital but no fractures were found. Her mouth was cut up inside.

"We are incredibly grateful that it isn't more serious.

"The gemsbok's horn has been etched on my husband's arm," said Appelgryn.


- Volksblad

I guess 455 folks walking thru his living room pizzed the gemsbok off pretty bad.....

What part of wild animals do they not understand?

It may be of interest to many here, that most South Africans, both blacks and whites, have never even seen many live species in the wild and know very little about the fauna in their own countries.

While on a cull hunt on a neighbor of my PH,Johnny Schicherling, an older gentleman wounded one and it ran off. Yoshee the kill dog,Jack Russel dashound cross, took of after it. John John the PH's son and I took off after it. I saw it through a screen of brush and Yoshee had it by the nut's. When I got a clear shot I gave it one through the heart. The damn thing rared up and charged with Yoshee on it's nuts,couldn't shoot for hitting Yoshee, figured I'd bulldog it and cut it's throat but it died at my feet. DAMN EXCITEN'

quote:

Gemsbok attack walkers in game reserve
2010-11-23 10:08



Marietjie Gericke, Die Volksblad

Bloemfontein - Gemsbok stormed and injured several walkers taking part in a fun walk at a Free State game lodge over the weekend.

Two of the injured, Amanda Appelgryn and her daughter Janecke, 8, were admitted to Bloemfontein Medi-Clinic with several tissue injuries.

Esmé van Wijk also ended up in hospital after she and her two friends, Elsie Geeringh and Sonja van Wyk, were attacked by a gemsbok while other walkers were watching.

About 455 walkers took part in the Klingelklokkie fun walk in aid of Volksblad's Christmas fund, which was held for the tenth time on Saturday at Sangiro Lodge near Bloemfontein. The route is in the shape of a horseshoe, said Appelgryn.

Flew through the air

"When we came back, a gemsbok attacked us from the right. I wanted to protect Janecke but the buck hit me on the arm," she said.

"Jan (her husband) and Janecke flew through the air."

Janecke was walking between her parents. The couple's other daughter, Rista-Mari, 12, was about 20m behind them.

"I landed in a prickly pear bush and my leg was full of thorns. Jan was badly bruised from the fall and Janecke's eyes started rolling."

Appelgryn then contacted ER24 paramedics, who were on duty outside the camp.

Janecke was tied to a plate, which supported her spinal cord, and was given oxygen in an ambulance.

"Paramedics helped to get the thorns from my hand and leg. My arm was bandaged in the ambulance."

Janecke's neck, jaw and head were scanned at the hospital but no fractures were found. Her mouth was cut up inside.

"We are incredibly grateful that it isn't more serious.

"The gemsbok's horn has been etched on my husband's arm," said Appelgryn.

Is rabies known to occur in gemsbok in South Africa?

I was in Namibia a few years ago and watched an infected kudu bull act as no healthy wild animal would.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
...It may be of interest to many here, that most South Africans, both blacks and whites, have never even seen many live species in the wild and know very little about the fauna in their own countries.

A very true statement. One that could also be made about those in any nation of the world! I suppose that so many travel so far TO see SA's wildlife is what amazes many regarding this.
MOST Americans never see New York or Hollywood to!

quote:

Originally posted by LionHunter:
What part of wild animals do they not understand?

It may be of interest to many here, that most South Africans, both blacks and whites, have never even seen many live species in the wild and know very little about the fauna in their own countries.

That fact has always amazed me.

I have been to RSA many times and have often been stunned by the lack of knowledge shown by most of the locals re their wildlife, black and white alike.

I guess if you are not a hunter, there is no interest at all.