Field ranger injured in Buffalo attack

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A Kruger National Park (KNP) field ranger was injured following a buffalo attack at Pretoriuskop Section on Tuesday.

According to South African National Parks (SANParks) Head of Communications and Spokesperson JP Louw, the field Ranger and his colleague were on a patrol near the Sabie River when the animal charged at them from behind a thicket.

He said the injured ranger managed to hold onto the horns of the animal until his colleague fired shots and put down the animal.

“The ranger on site placed an emergency call after which their colleague was immediately attended to by a local doctor.

Ranger rushed to medical facility

“He was then stabilised and thereafter airlifted by helicopter to a nearby medical facility where he is receiving further medical attention,” he explained.

Louw added that SANParks Board and Management extend their well wishes to the ranger on behalf of all staff in SANParks.

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He continued; “In line with established protocols, a debriefing report will be compiled by the Rangers Corps into the incident and its results will be furnished to the KNP Management Committee.

“SANParks will also provide the ranger’s family with access to trauma counsellors.”