Investigation puts cheetah incident in perspective
An official Ezemvelo investigation has concluded that the Isaac Driver incident can be put down to an honest mistake made by the guest
FOLLOWING an official investigation into the Emdoneni Lodge cheetah incident in which a New Zealand teen suffered minor lacerations, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has concluded that the 12-month-old cheetah had merely been playing when it scratched Isaac Driver.
‘The investigation was finalised last week and Mr Nel of Emdoneni Lodge was found to have met all necessary requirements to have various cat species at Emdoneni,’ said Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo on Monday.
‘The incident should never have happened, but it can be put down to an honest mistake made during an attempt by one guest to take a photo. He crouched down and the one-year-old cheetah was probably playing when it hurt Driver’.
A prior incident, involving exchange student Peggy Lio, has since received much media attention, but also appears to boil down to a guest not behaving in accordance with the establishment’s instructions.
According to witness and staff statements, Lio, from the outset of the tour, had insisted on ‘hugging’ and ‘walking with’ the cheetah despite being told that this was not allowed.
‘From arriving at reception, it was clear this lady was hyperactive and insisted on her demands being met,’ said Receptionist Nondumiso Myeni.
Witnesses who had remained outside the enclosure with their baby confirmed Lio had not followed the guide’s instructions on how they must behave when with the cheetah.
‘The guests outside the fence complained to the girl about how she and her friend got too close to the cheetah,’ said Emdoneni guide Josh Guerreiro in his official statement.
‘The guests outside the enclosure told us Peggy bent down to take a picture and that is when the cheetah jumped on her,’ said Emdoneni General Manager Ingrid van Regenmortel.
Lio’s scratches were immediately disinfected and a doctor gave her a Tetanus injection.
Staff had failed to report this incident to Emdoneni’s owners, given the minor significance of it and the superficial wounds inflicted.
‘In keeping with the trend of moving away from petting of large predators, Emdoneni has stopped cheetah interaction with immediate effect,’ reiterated owner Cecillie Nel.
‘Guests still have the privilege of viewing cheetah up close within the enclosures and the rest of the tour with African wild cats, caracal and serval will continue as normal’.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Emdoneni puts cheetah interaction on hold
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