http://www.news24.com/SouthAfr...n-game-farm-20110828



Leopard attacks on game farm
2011-08-28 14:27



Johannesburg - A husband and wife guiding team were attacked by a leopard at a game farm near Polokwane on Sunday morning, paramedics said.

A foreign trophy hunter had shot and injured a leopard late on Saturday afternoon, and a tracking party set out to find the animal, said ER24 spokesperson Andre Visser.

Instead, the injured leopard stalked and attacked the group, at 09:00 on Sunday.

The leopard darted for the trophy hunter, but the male guide, believed to be in his mid thirties, stepped in front of his client.

The leopard mauled the man's left shoulder, arm, and abdomen, while his wife received multiple lacerations to her arm.

The couple were airlifted to the Polokwane provincial hospital, but were later transferred to MediClinic Limpopo for further treatment.


- SAPA

Very sad to hear this. I hope they have a quick recovery.

Sounds like the guide was committed to protecting his client. I wish them a speedy recovery. I do hope someone shot the Leopard off him and killed it.

I wonder who the PH/outfitter was?

Beeld, a local Afrikaans newspaper identified the hunter as Danie Haasbroek (44)from Hunter's Rock Safaris. His female partner who was also attacked is named as Elmarie Minnaar.

After reading about all the attacks from wounded Leopards over the years, I'm surprised almost to numbness why PH's haven't adapted a better plan for following up a wounded Leopard. Protective clothing, leatherneck, even a full cover helmet would have prevented a lot of serious injury. It might not look macho, but I'd rather be laughed at for wearing a funny outfit than laughed at for being stupid. No disrespect to my PH friends, your following tradition, but at what point does ingenuity supersede brazen disrespect for what truly is one bad ass feline? I think I'll be talking to Jeff Wemmer about such a suit.

A "bite suit" like we used to use for training working dogs could be an option. Would need to be modified for a little more mobility in the arms and legs but it would work quite well.

I just don't see PH's using it due to cost, availability and quite truthfully it just wouldn't be cool.

I don't pretend to be any kind of expert on wounded cats (have never hunted leopards and have no plans to do so), but it would seem to me that a guide would wish to arm himself with a short-barreled 12 gauge loaded with buck for such occasions. This armament wouldn't total ensure the prevention of a mauling, but it would seem a much better way to protect one's client than "stepping in between" him and the cat.

It is enlightening to go to the link Kathi posted and read all the comments posted by some average South Africans on this article.

Here is a typical retort:

Wish the leopard had taken the hunter out. What kind of a**hole wants to kill such a beautiful creature. Rot in hell the lot of you!!!

A couple of guys from the hunting industry have pitched in to refute the animal rights fanatics, but the hunters are in the minority by far.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
A "bite suit" like we used to use for training working dogs could be an option. Would need to be modified for a little more mobility in the arms and legs but it would work quite well.

I just don't see PH's using it due to cost, availability and quite truthfully it just wouldn't be cool.

With modern materials, a lighter weight bite suit could probably be made
(it is a while since I wore one on the arm and it was big and heavy back then).

The problem may be that a light weight one might stop a bite but not the "crush"
of the jaws ???

Either way, something to stop those chainsaw like claws would be nice in that situation.

.

quote:

short-barreled 12 gauge loaded with buck for such occasions

Stonecreek, many have tried, but wounded Leopards tend to wait until the hunting party is within a few feet, unlike a Lion which normally attacks from greater distances. Lying perfectly camouflaged, when a Leopard springs, it is so close many times, there's hardly enough time to react and point a scatter gun, especially if he attacks from the side and is on someone in an instant. The old rule "never try and shoot a Leopard off a man" holds true. More times than not, you'll hit the victim. Every PH has his own medicine for tracking up a wounded Leopard, and it runs the gauntlet of firearms.

Bite suit; the bites are what can be devastating but the cuts are terrible at times. With light weight materials, I can see this product coming to market. As for cost, just ask any man that has been mauled by a Leopard what he would have paid to prevent his punishment. As for cool, I'd really rather look stupid than be dumb and let a pissed off chain saw loose on me, just my humble opinion. I've been lucky to kill all of my Tom's with one shot and either see them lying dead or hear their death moan, but the last track up was in the dark. Heard the death growl, the tom went only 40 yards but it was a tense 40 yards that we tracked in pitch black darkness with flash lights. We were 99% confident, but still frosty each step. If I were guiding Leopard hunters, I'd be wearing protection of some sort.

i well remember the "old days" when pro bull riders wore only pants, a shirt. and a cowboy hat. now most of them wear helmets with face masks and protective vests( and live to ride again another day after close encounters). that said, i frankly doubt i will ever see the majority of PH's ever wearing any kind of protective gear for these situations- "just isn't done, old chap"!!!

I gotta say, if I flubbed the shot I wouldn't expect the guide to jump in front of me, not to mention we're all in better shape with him shooting the cat when it breaks off me than me shooting it when he gets free. Sounds like the cat knew who's fault it was and was trying for some payback, I understand that.

I wonder about a light chain mail, bite might still be a problem but it could help with the claws. I think Capstick wore a leather neck protector or maybe it was a flak jacket with the neck guard. something serious though.

I wish them both speedy recoveries.

Red

Lightweight full chain mesh suits the shark divers wear comes to mind. Those dudes let 6-7ft blues latch right on, no worse for the wear afterwards! It would absolutely protect from the raking motion of the back feet should he indeed get a grip on ya.

Probably heavy as hell out of the water and deathly expensive though!

don't they have plott hounds down there?

Imagine you just shot a leopard. You're all excited but tense knowing that the light of day has just left and now you're having to walk 35 yards towards your prey. You're hoping all hope that it's piled up under the tree. But you and your PH aren't 100% sure.

Would you feel like an idiot if your PH handed you a bull riding like helmet since he's also wearing one before having a look-see for your cat? Would you think less of your PH for such extra precautions?

I've never shot a cat. But I darn sure wouldn't be looking down on my PH if he were to don a helmet and hand me one when we left the blind to see the results of my shot.

What about one of those monkey suits from Hatari!??

Ide

I wouldn't.

I have always read that the legs are like chainsaws with teeth just as bad.

Now look at what the Polar bear did the other week to 3 people in a tent and 2 out of it. And then think of a Leopard being three times as quick at doing it.

Not what I would call fun.

If I could only protect certain vital parts and veins, I would be happy.

.

The answer is the use of bay dogs, I am sure there are al kinds of local mutts which would bay a leopard. leave the client in the car and let the dogs do most of the work.

David, thanks for the plan. I, however, will in future make sure I pack a cricket "ball box" for such an occasion! Only protection I need!

quote:

I, however, will in future make sure I pack a cricket "ball box" for such an occasion! Only protection I need!

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:
The answer is the use of bay dogs, I am sure there are al kinds of local mutts which would bay a leopard. leave the client in the car and let the dogs do most of the work.

Most real houndsmen think too much of their dogs for that.

A business opportunity here----investors email cash to me......knights in armor shock absorbing suits for follow up on wounded buffalo, 12 ton trample proof armor for Ele follow up, attack dog suits for Leopard......when does PH put on his protective gear?

http://www.citizen.co.za/citiz...ters-on-the-mend----



News
Attacked hunters on the mend

Two professional hunters who were attacked by a leopard last weekend, are recuperating well after their ordeal.

02 September 2011 | MARDIEN SMIT


POLOKWANE – Two professional hunters who were attacked by a leopard last weekend, are recuperating well after their ordeal.

Elmarie Minnaar, 38, owner of the Hunters Rock Safaris game farm at Alldays was discharged from the Limpopo Mediclinic earlier this week where she was treated for multiple bite and scratch wounds.

Her fiance, Danie Haasbroek, 44, is still receiving treatment.

Minaar led a hunt on Saturday where a visiting American hunter wounded the leopard.

Minaar, Haasbroek, the American and two trackers continued the hunt on Sunday morning.

About 100 metres from where it was shot the previous day the leopard suddenly appeared and went straight for Haasbroek’s face. He shot the animal with a 9 mm pistol in the stomach after which the leopard diverted its attention to Minnaar.

She told how she tried to stop the leopard with her rifle. “A number of shots were fired, I can’t remembers how many,” she said.

Tracker, Bonsman Nkopa, grabbed the rifle from where it fell on the ground and shot the animal. It fell to the ground.

A farmer in the neighbourhood took the couple to Polokwane with his private helicopter from where they were taken to the hospital.

“We are just thankful for the tracker who kept his head,” said Minnaar.

She has lead six leopard hunts thus far and has been in the industry for 12 years.

“It was the first time a hunt went wrong,” she said.

Wow!

Honestly, some protective gear made out of the same thing chaps for use with chainsaws would not be heavy or expensive nor all that awkward . Someone should try and have a suit of this made.

What a brave man who would step in front of a leopard to protect his client! I am glad to hear that they are recuperating well.


Best-
Locksley,R.

quote:

Protective clothing, leatherneck, even a full cover helmet would have prevented a lot of serious injury. It might not look macho, but I'd rather be laughed at for wearing a funny outfit than laughed at for being stupid

I think PHC was absolutely pilloried on this forum for suggesting such a thing...you may want to be careful, your manhood may be at stake...

quote:

pilloried

To attack or ridicule publicly.

I would be very surprised if a really good suit could not be made up for less than $500.

I can think of many simple ideas - How about overalls made of leather padding for the chest sides & thighs? The lighter material can be used for the sleeves so that mobility is not affected.

If you look at video of the Martin Pieters party being charged http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...HUeo&feature=related , that leopard gave them some time / warning & yet it played hell. One shot on the shoulder saved that guy and he was able to protect himself by kicking it. If that animal had both shoulders in good shape, he would not have got off so lightly.

If I made a habit out of PH'ing for leopards, this would be the best $100 ever invested!

http://www.google.com/products...Cg&ved=0CI4BEPICMAc#

Any PH who takes on a wounded Leopard with a 9mm pistol should wear some sort of protective clothing.

Best bet of course is to shoot the cat dead first time. [9mm? ? ? ]

I like the idea of some sort of protection. This wouldn't be the first area where looking stupid to be safe is a good practice.

The flack jacket that rodeo bull riders wear and a pair of chain saw leggings would cover you up pretty well, and be reasonably comfortable. You would need a short stock on whatever gun you took to make up for the flack jackets extra thickness.

I made a small rodeo circuit in central MT with my friends in high school and college. When some folks tried to make the flack jackets mandatory at a few of the events, you would have thought they asked the rider to wear the flank strap instead of the bull.

But it is a damn sight better than having a broken rib impale your heart. By the way, I didn't ride bulls, I participated in steer wrestling and roping.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by JabaliHunter:

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:
The answer is the use of bay dogs, I am sure there are al kinds of local mutts which would bay a leopard. leave the client in the car and let the dogs do most of the work.

Most real houndsmen think too much of their dogs for that.

You don't need hounds to bay a leopard,infact a collie mix would be much better. Like I stated, any mutt will let you know whats around and bay a cat. I am sure village dogs are a dime a dozen as they probably don;t spay or neuter much.

quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
By the way, I didn't ride bulls, I participated in steer wrestling and roping.

Jeremy

That's enough to get my respect...I also did the steer wrestling bit as a teenager/young adult, though they were spontaneous unorganized affairs...Even rode a few steers, but not bulls! Those guys must be hard, I wonder how they keep going...

David,

It was a lot of fun, but your right, it is hard on you. None of the guys I ran with were pro material, and didn't ride past their 25th birthday. I do remember that after the show, I could drink a beer using either hand, and they sometimes couldn't pick a it up with their right hand.

Jeremy

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:

quote:

Originally posted by JabaliHunter:

quote:

Originally posted by chilcotin hillbilly:
The answer is the use of bay dogs, I am sure there are al kinds of local mutts which would bay a leopard. leave the client in the car and let the dogs do most of the work.

Most real houndsmen think too much of their dogs for that.

You don't need hounds to bay a leopard,infact a collie mix would be much better. Like I stated, any mutt will let you know whats around and bay a cat. I am sure village dogs are a dime a dozen as they probably don;t spay or neuter much.

and what exactly are the dogs supposed to do when you arrive at the ongoing furball. the pack we were using were Idaho mountain lion/bear hounds with some large local curs in the mix. as soon as the leopard saw me he knocked two hounds out of the way and charged. if you think dogs will stop a leopard from charging, you have never seen what a leopard can do to a large dog within 2 seconds, once he decides to charge. it was not a pretty sight and they go through dogs pretty quickly during a season. interestingly enough, the trained hounds stayed well back out of reach- it was the village curs that moved in close and paid dearly for the experience!

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
as soon as the leopard saw me he knocked two hounds out of the way and charged.

Yes, the dogs become almost irrelevant to the cat once humans enter the equation...

from talking with the PH as well as my own experience, leopards( at least in the Kalahari where there are few decent trees but lots of black thorn brush) a bayed leopard could care less about the dogs surrounding him once he decides to come. 9 out of 10 bayed leopards will charge and the dogs are not a factor- they are just injured or dead!