I just received this email from Craig Boddington and thought I'd share it with the members here.

Dear friends,
Chances are you've heard about the accident that occurred recently when my daughter, Brittany, was hunting leopard in Namibia with Omujeve Safaris. They were in a very dangerous and confusing situation when the leopard charged, really a worst-case scenario of tall grass and a totally unexpected encounter. The lead dog handler, Punki, was being mauled by the leopard when he was struck by a bullet. Fortunately he is recovering very well, and is expected to achieve a near-full recovery.

I was in Zimbabwe when the accident occurred. Of course I scrambled as quickly as possible and got to Namibia. Beyond Punki's condition--which was stable and improving by the time I got there--one of our concerns was the rumor mill and second-guessing that can attend such an event. We posted PH Nic Kruger's and Brittany's statement, prepared for the police, on AccurateReloading.com, sent them to the Hunting Report, and so forth. You may already have seen them, but I will attach them.

At this time Punki is doing well and will be out of the hospital soon, with some physical therapy ahead of him before he can rejoin his hounds (but he will hunt again, and fairly soon!). Brittany is also doing. One of the steps she has taken is to establish a fund to assist with Punki's medical bills. (It's worth every penny; the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek did a fantastic job!). I must tell you that Brittany and I have been overwhelmed by the general support and understanding regarding this unfortunate incident, and I know I have received emails from many of you.

We will be grateful for any contributions to:

Punki Recovery Fund
PO Box 33303
Granada Hills, CA 91394

The incident, unfortunately, belongs to my daughter. Having seen the video and still pictures taken for the police at the site, I seriously doubt I could have changed things or done anything different had I been there, but I was not, so in addition to her statement, I will add the following brief paragraph from Brittany:

TRAGEDY IN NAMIBIA
In April 2009 I was in Africa again, hunting leopard with hounds with PH Nic Kruger at Omujeve Safaris. We were on a very aggressive leopard in terribly thick cover. We pulled off to water the dogs, expecting the leopard to move off--hopefully into better ground. When we went back in the leopard was prepared, but we were not. While our dog handlers were trying to pick up the scent the leopard ambushed us. I was walking behind Nic when I heard his first shot go off, but in an instant the cat had jumped over the first dog handler and onto our chief dog handler, Punki, now laying down in tall grass. Unfortunately I didn't see this, and there was no time for instructions. I stepped around Nic, and saw the cat thrashing in the grass, I assumed it was because it was wounded and not because it was chewing on Punki. I thought I had a clear view of the cat, and fired. The leopard had chewed Punki's ankle and bit through the leather belt on his hip but jumped off after my shot,
unfortunately I was a few inches low and he was struck by the bullet. The whole incident lasted less than three insane and most regrettable seconds. Thanks to superb first aid and fast evacuation Punki is recovering at an amazing rate, but his medical bills are extreme. Punki is one of the most experienced leopard hunters in southern Africa, with 25 years experience with his hounds. I have established the "Punki Recovery Fund," and am contributing the proceeds of my writing. I would be eternally grateful for any contributions to: Punki Recovery Fund, PO Box 33303, Granada Hills, CA 91394.
--Brittany Boddington

With many thanks and best wishes,

Craig Boddington

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