Veteran wildlife vet survives brutal Gemsbok attack

IN THE untamed wilderness of the Northern Cape, where the line between man and beast is often blurred, veteran wildlife veterinarian Dr Johan Kriek found himself in a perilous situation that served as a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability.

- DANIE VAN DER LITH

Kriek, a highly respected expert in his field and the owner of Mattanu Wildlife Reserve near Barkly West, was in the midst of what should have been a routine operation - transporting a group of gemsbok. The animals had been sedated the previous day to ensure a smooth relocation process, and by all indications, they remained calm as the team prepared to load them. The gemsbok were being prepared for an auction that will be taking place on April 12 at Mattanu Wildlife Reserve.

With more than three decades of experience handling wildlife, Kriek was confident in his ability to manage the task safely. However, nature had other plans. As he reached for the horns of the last gemsbok guiding her towards the transport vehicle, the seemingly docile creature reacted with sudden and violent force.