A tragic incident unfolded earlier this month in South Africa’s renowned Sabi Sand Nature Reserve: a young male leopard, known by some guides as Nhenhe, was killed after repeated encounters near human accommodation. But what makes this story even more troubling is not just the loss of life — it's the way the situation was communicated to the public.
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| Photo Credit: Daniel Anthony |
From 6–8 June 2025, a male leopard was observed lingering near a private camp within the northern sector of the reserve. As documented in Sabi Sand’s initial 10 June statement, the leopard:
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Positioned itself behind a room occupied by guests (including two toddlers).
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Persistently returned to the site despite attempts to scare it off.
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Eventually broke down a door, leapt onto a roof near guests, and came dangerously close to people and children.
The statement claimed that, following assessment, the leopard was “humanely euthanised” by the Sabi Sand management team on the night of June 8 for the safety of residents.
However, this was not true.
Changing the Story: Misinformation Unveiled
A second, updated media statement released on 16 June contradicted the original account on several key points:
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The leopard was not euthanised. It was accidentally shot with a live round, after conservation staff had initially fired a non-lethal rubber bullet round.
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The shot was not planned. The firearm was unintentionally loaded with live ammunition during a high-pressure night-time incident.
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The revised statement acknowledged that the initial communication was misleading, lacking clarity on the role of baiting (impala culling), the presence of food sources, and the real-time pressures faced by the field staff.
“It incorrectly stated that the leopard had been euthanised, which was not the case… We regret the concern this has caused and recognise that it fell short of the clarity and rigour expected,” said Vernon Cresswell, Chairman of Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
Public Outcry and Conservation Concerns
The fallout was immediate. Wildlife lovers, conservation professionals, guides, and photographers who had documented and known this leopard reacted with shock—not only at its death but at the way the truth was initially obscured.
Critics called out the pattern of avoidable deaths and lack of transparency, especially considering that Nhenhe was the third male leopard known to be killed in Sabi Sands under questionable circumstances in recent years.
The most disturbing issues raised include:
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Use of culling operations that attract predators to human-occupied areas.
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Inadequate deterrent infrastructure or fencing near guest lodges.
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Lack of training in managing wildlife conflicts without fatal outcomes.
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Misleading public relations tactics that undermine trust in conservation work.
Broader Implications
This incident goes beyond one reserve. It shines a light on the complex and often contradictory nature of private conservation areas, where luxury tourism, biodiversity preservation, and human safety collide. When public trust is undermined by misinformation, it damages the credibility of even the most reputable conservation entities.
It also forces uncomfortable questions:
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How do we reconcile private landownership with public conservation ethics?
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Are the most charismatic species truly protected — or simply tolerated until inconvenient?
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And when mistakes are made, how transparent are organisations really willing to be?
The Path Forward
Sabi Sand has promised full cooperation with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) investigation. A staff member involved has been placed on suspension pending results. That’s a start — but more is needed:
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An independent external review of protocols and weapon handling.
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Full disclosure of events and decision-making chains.
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Mandatory non-lethal deterrent training for all staff.
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A policy against misinformation in public-facing statements.
This leopard’s death has stirred grief and anger. It must now lead to systemic change. Conservation is built on trust—between reserves and the public, between humans and the wild. When that trust is broken, the cost is more than one animal. It’s the credibility of the entire system.
Official Statements:
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