South African man slays killer leopard with spear

Johannesburg, Aug 1 (Reuters) A leopard which killed a pregnant woman in rural South Africa was slain by the victim's neighbour who confronted the animal armed only with a traditional spear, wildlife officials said today.

''A 22-year-old pregnant woman, Nomusa Mncwango, was killed on Sunday morning while fetching water. Her two sisters ran and sounded the alarm,'' said Maureen Zimu, spokeswoman for KZN Wildlife, the conservation arm of KwaZulu-Natal province, where the incident occurred on communal farm land.

Her neighbour, Thengukuphila Mlambo, went to investigate armed with a spear and was ''savagely attacked'' by the big cat but managed to stab it. Mlambo, 43, is recovering in hospital.

Attacks by leopards on humans are relatively rare in South Africa and conflicts usually revolve around the predator's fondness for livestock.

Leopards are not confined to fenced reserves, roaming free throughout the country, though in dwindling numbers.

''Our rangers are combing the area because sightings suggest there may be two other leopards in the vicinity,'' Zimu said.

It is now extremely rare for a person to kill a leopard in the traditional style with a spear.

REUTERS BDP RS1438