British woman attacked by cheetahs at game reserve in South Africa
Archibald D'Mello
A British woman's holiday of a lifetime in South Africa has turned into a "nightmare" after she was mauled by cheetahs at a safari park.
Violet D'Mello, from Aberdeen, was celebrating her 60th birthday with her husband at the Kragga Kamma Game Reserve in Port Elizabeth, where they were told it was safe to get up close and personal with the cheetahs.
Staff reassured her that two cheetah brothers, Mark and Monty, were hand-reared from birth and completely tame.
Archibald D'Mello
Mrs D'Mello and her husband entered their enclosure with a young family, and saw one of the cheetahs grab a seven-year-old girl.
According to the Telegraph, it was when Mrs D'Mello tried to stop the girl's brother from running to the gate that a cheetah turned on her, gouging her head.
She told South Africa's Times newspaper that at first it seemed like play, but that it "turned serious very quickly".
A park attendant tried to pull the cheetah off her, but as he did so, another cheetah pinned her to the ground and started biting at her legs.
After about three minutes, Mrs D'Mello was able to escape after a woman from reception ran over with a stick.
Archibald D'Mello
Mrs D'Mello's husband Archie had been outside the enclosure during the attack, and took these pictures.
According to the Daily Mail, he said: "It was totally frantic and terrifying, a real melee.
"Violet was on the ground and the animal kept biting her head and thighs.
"The other cheetah came over too and was scratching at her.
"I couldn't do anything and the guide didn't even have a stick to defend herself."
He added: "The last week has been a nightmare, but we're just relieved that we are both in one piece and want to make the most of the trip."
Mrs D'Mello, who was taken to hospital immediately after the incident, told the Port Elizabeth Herald newspaper: "It really came from nowhere and I was totally helpless. The doctor at the hospital said cheetahs usually aim for the stomach area and disembowel their victims, so I was lucky to be alive," she said.
"Both cheetahs were on me and there was nothing I could do.They have sharp claws that stick out of their paws and were really strong."
Something inside me just said: "Don't move. Don't move at all. Don't react, just play dead."
"I have had umpteen stitches in my head, my leg and along the side of my stomach.
"We're back on holiday now but have to reschedule our trip so I can go to hospital next week to have the stitches out.
"This was meant to be a holiday, but it's really turned into a nightmare."
Archibald D'Mello
Kragga's manager Dave Cantor told the Port ElizabethHerald: "They are pretty playful but they love human contact and we have never had an problem with them before. They usually purr like crazy when people stroke them.
"This time I think it was really just a freak incident. It was a long weekend and there were lots of children around the outside of the enclosure so perhaps the cheetahs got riled up.
"One of the children inside the enclosure then got pretty excited and started running, and perhaps that's what tipped them over the edge. It sounds like this lady stepped in to assist and the cheetahs then jumped on her."
He said there was no question about the animals being put down, and the petting area has been closed pending an investigation.
Graham Kerley, director for the Centre for African Conservation Ecology, said it is important to remember that cheetahs are wild animals. He told the Port ElizabethHerald: "Keep in mind that in the last 10 to 12 years, three people have been killed by captive lions. We mustn't pretend these are tame pussycats here.
"They are wild and should be considered dangerous."
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