Johannesburg – A Kruger National Park environmental monitoring officer and a villager are being treated in hospital after they were attacked by animals in two separate incidents on Tuesday, SANParks said.

In the first incident, official Amos Muhlovu fell on to a rock while trying to escape from a charging buffalo at Punda Maria, north of the park, said acting SANParks spokesperson Rey Thakhuli on Wednesday.

“The… officer managed to escape but fell on a rock and sustained injuries. He is receiving treatment at the Malamulele hospital,” he said.

In the other incident, Biyamirhi Maluleke was attacked by a leopard between Maphophe and Josefa villages outside Punda Maria, but managed to escape.

Thakhuli said Maluleke was being treated at a nearby hospital.

It was suspected that the leopard had escaped from the park.

“Rangers were deployed to trace the leopard and tracked it back into the park. We are making sure it does not go back to the community,” he said.

– SAPA