The two-year-old son of a Kruger National Park worker has been mauled to death by a leopard.
The South African national park have confirmed the death of the 30-month-old boy.
The park confirmed in a statement that the attack had taken place in staff living quarters at the national park.
"KNP can confirm that a leopard killed a staff member’s son last night,"the statement issued early on Thursday, local time, said.
"The toddler was only 30 months old. The incident took place at 20:00 and the boy was certified dead by doctors at the Shongwe Hospital after being rushed there by family members."
South Africa's umbrella national parks organisation said the leopard had been tracked and shot dead following the attack.
South African National Parks chief executive Fundisile Mketeni extended his condolences to the family of the child in a statement issued by the organisation, alongside Kruger's.
He called it a "tragic" death as he wished the family strength following the boy's death.
He said: “Our prayers and thoughts are with the family during this trying time, we wish them strength and will give them all the support they need as an organisation.
"It is never easy to lose a loved one especially under such tragic circumstances, this is the risk we live with on a daily basis as we help conserve our species for the benefit of all. May the young toddler’s soul rest in eternal peace.
He continued: "This is the risk we live with on a daily basis as we help conserve our species for the benefit of all. May the young toddler’s soul rest in eternal peace.
In parks like the KNP "predators do interact with tourists and staff and at times it may result in species like leopard getting habituated to people and losing their fear," Mr Mketeni continued.
"The change in natural behaviour can then lead to unfortunate incidents such as this.
"This is an unfortunate risk that staff members experience when having to live and work in environments like the KNP. These events are very rare occurrences but always tragic when they do occur."
He said the park and regional rangers and a Lance Corporal searched for the animal and shot it dead "to remove the danger of another person falling victim."
Mr Mketeni said the park's management had immediately offered support including counselling to the family of the boy.
The toddler's name was being withheld by the park until all family members could be advised of the tragic death, local media reported.
