Former Zimbabwe cricketer Guy Whittall undergoes emergency surgery after being mauled by wounded leopard

Former Zimbabwe cricketer Guy Whittall has found himself in the headlines once again, this time after a terrifying encounter with a wounded leopard during a hunting expedition. The 51-year-old, who had a successful cricketing career representing Zimbabwe in Tests and ODIs, was mauled by the leopard near Buffalo Range, resulting in cuts to his arms and a gash to his head.

Whittall was rushed to Harare and underwent emergency surgery at Milton Park Hospital to treat his injuries. His wife, Hannah Stooks Whittall, took to Facebook to update well-wishers on his condition, revealing that he had lost a significant amount of blood during the attack.

The former cricketer’s dog, Chikara, also played a crucial role in fending off the leopard and was taken to a vet for treatment following the ordeal. This isn’t the first time Whittall has had a close encounter with wildlife, as back in 2013, he famously discovered a 165kg crocodile under his bed.

Despite the frightening incident, Whittall’s wife remains grateful that her husband and their dog are safe and recovering. She described Whittall as a “lucky man” and praised Chikara for his bravery in protecting his owner.

Whittall, who now runs a safari business with his family in Humani, has certainly had his fair share of wildlife encounters over the years. With a successful cricketing career behind him, he can now add surviving a leopard attack to his list of remarkable stories. As he recovers from his injuries, Whittall can count himself fortunate to have escaped a potentially tragic outcome, thanks in part to the quick actions of his loyal companion, Chikara.