Leopard snatches and eats toddler at Queen Elizabeth National park in Uganda

[jwkelly]

Ugandan authorities are hunting for a leopard in Queen Elizabeth National park  after it snatched and ate a ranger's three-year-old son.

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The toddler had been left in the care of a nanny at the unfenced staff quarters of a safari lodge in the park, when he was taken by the leopard on Friday night.

Wildlife authority spokesman Bashir Hangi said the child had followed the nanny outdoors.

"The maid was not aware the child followed her. She heard the kid scream for help, she intervened but it was too late the leopard had vanished with it in the bush and a search was mounted until we got the skull the next day," he said.

"The hunt is on with the intention of capturing the leopard and removing it from the wild because once it has eaten human flesh, the temptations are high to eat another human being, it becomes dangerous," he added.

The sun sets over Lake George near Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda,
The sun sets over Lake George near Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda,
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Queen Elizabeth is Uganda's most-visited national park, with tourists flocking to watch leopards roam the Mweya Peninsula, which lies beside Lake Edward.

The park also hosts African buffalo, Nile crocodile, lions and chimpanzees.

The attack comes just a week after a British safari park owner was attacked by a lion in South Africa.

Mike Hodge, 71, suffered a broken jaw after he was mauled in Marakele Animal Sanctuary in Thabazimbi.

Mr Hodge had been showing visitors around the park when the big cat charged him and dragged him into some bushes.

Video footage of the incident showed terrified tourists screaming for help as the lion mauled its victim.

Keepers eventually killed the 10-year-old lion, named Samba, and Mr Hodge was taken to hospital. 

Two years ago, in South Africa, a year a six-year-old boy was snatched by a leopard at Kruger National park, but the youngster escaped with his life.

Kellan Denny was playing with his brother on a wall when the leopard sunk its teeth into his shoulder and dragged him away.

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However, the leopard let go of the traumatised boy, allowing his father to rush in and carry him to safety.

The incident was the first of its kind in 40 years, according to a spokesman for Kruger National Park.

[jwkelly]

I feel for the family but now they'll kill an incredible and rare animal because ppl who live next to wild animals don't show caution and respect and smarts.This was 100 percent preventable. If the leopard has cubs then what when it's killed ? Oh yeah they die also.

[braggin]

What a shame this is. I can't even imagine how the nanny felt when she found out a child in her care had actually been eaten by an animal. Not to mention how the parents must feel.

[JaniceSW]

I feel for the family but now they'll kill an incredible and rare animal because ppl who live next to wild animals don't show caution and respect and smarts.This was 100 percent preventable. If the leopard has cubs then what when it's killed ? Oh yeah they die also.

JW:  I totally agree with you.  It is a very sad thing for both the animal and the child and its family.  Animals only do what is in their nature to do.  It is in its own habitat. It is  a wild, beautiful animal.  What do we expect when we keep encroaching?  Leopards are one of the most powerful of the great cats! Man does a great job of killing off all things, including himself!

[Nancy5]

I feel for the family but now they'll kill an incredible and rare animal because ppl who live next to wild animals don't show caution and respect and smarts.This was 100 percent preventable. If the leopard has cubs then what when it's killed ? Oh yeah they die also.

JW:  I totally agree with you.  It is a very sad thing for both the animal and the child and its family.  Animals only do what is in their nature to do.  It is in its own habitat. It is  a wild, beautiful animal.  What do we expect when we keep encroaching?  Leopards are one of the most powerful of the great cats! Man does a great job of killing off all things, including himself!

Sadly, that’s what wild animals do.  Not their fault.

[bretay]

i saw that...so sad..