"Komatipoort, Mpumalanga, South Africa - Wildlife activists have warned people not to treat wild animals like pets after a woman was attacked when she tried to approached a leopard she found in her garden.

The founder of Campaign Against Canned Hunting (Cach) Chris Mercer has warned that wild animals will attack when approached by human beings. (NO? REALLY???)

"All wild animals are inherently dangerous. We know of people being killed by both ostriches and warthogs. Leopards are especially unpredictable," said Mercer on Wednesday.

On Monday, a leopard attacked two people in the holiday town of Marloth Park in Mpumalanga, which borders the Kruger National Park and where wild animals are allowed to roam the streets.

She had attacked 54-year-old Joey Labuschagne who found her in her garden. Labuschagne's 84-year-old friend, Logan Estement, who had been visiting with his wife, rescued Labuschagne when the leopard dragged her a few feet.He wrestled the leopard off her and was scratched on his arms and chest.

"To approach a young, starving leopard is to beg for tragedy," said Marloth Park chief honorary ranger Nick FitzGerald, saying it was "irresponsible and dangerous behaviour" by the people involved.

He said the animals ended up suffering the consequences for attacking people when all it was doing was "defending itself and minding its own business".

Nelspruit Medi-Clinic spokesperson Robyn Baard said on Wednesday that Labuschagne was in a stable condition.

Submitted on 10/02/2008

Submitted by: Donald Curtis - Johannesburg
Reference: www.news24.co.za 02/10/2008 (http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News)

Copyright © 2008 DarwinAwards.com

Bruce said:
Definitely Keep: Honorable Mention
Well we don't have leopards where I live, but we do have bears, mountain lions, and even rabid raccoons just to name a few. I know I certainly wouldn't approach any of them if I found one in my garden, and I know most of my friends & neighbors wouldn't either. Thanks, Donald!

Candi said:
Definitely Keep: Darwin Award
What Bruce said. I like the original commentary. (NO? REALLY???)

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