A 34-year-old South African man on tour at Matopos National Park in Zimbabwe escaped death by a whisker when a marauding buffalo threw him up a tree with its horns, where he got stuck, police said.
The police spokesman for Matabeleland South, Assistant Insp Trust Ndlovu, said the incident occurred on Friday afternoon at about 13:00. He said the man, Khaya Mncube, was attacked by the buffalo when he was taking some photos of the animal.
"The man saw the buffalo going to a water point at Matopos National Park and he then decided to follow it. While following it, he was also taking photographs," Ndlovu said.
Ndlovu said when the buffalo sensed that it was being followed from behind, it turned and charged at Mncube.
"Mncube tried to run but it caught up with him, after which it lifted him with its horns and he landed on top of a nearby tree. The buffalo could not reach him and it eventually gave up and returned to the dam," he said
Mncube sustained minor injuries.