Tanzania Professional Hunter Shares Leopard Mauling Experience

In Tanzania, I told you last month that PH John Greef had been mauled by a leopard but details about the incident were still sketchy. I was expecting an account from him that I hoped to send out in an E-mail Extra Bulletin by the time you received your August issue. It was not until press time for the current issue that I received an e-mail from US booking agent Wes Hixon with the details from Greef. He writes in part, "On July 5, 2010 Professional Hunter John Greef and his 19-year-old step-son Dusty were seriously mauled by a leopard while conducting a safari in the Selous Game Reserve in Tanzania. John, Dusty and a client were sitting in a leopard blind on the evening of July 5, when the leopard appeared on the bait. Dusty was running a video camera. The leopard presented a broadside shot, and the client fired. The leopard jumped from the tree and disappeared in the tall grass. They reviewed the video footage and confirmed the leopard was indeed hit, although, the shot appeared to be a bit far back. John and Dusty approached the bait and began to look for blood. They followed in the direction the leopard had disappeared and could not find blood. As darkness was approaching, John radioed for two other professional hunters to come assist him in tracking the wounded leopard. One of them, Albie, arrived; the other professional hunter encountered mechanical problems en route and could not make it.

"When they returned to the bait, it was well past dark. John and Albie took the lead with Dusty and the trackers behind them. Still no blood trail. The grass was well over the hunters' heads, and visibility was very poor. The wounded leopard was indeed lying in wait for them. However, the leopard reacted in a very strange way; he allowed John and Albie to step right past him without making a move, then sprang up and over the grass straight for Dusty. The leopard's attack came from behind John's right side. As the leopard sprang into the air, John swung his........(continued)