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A two-year-old boy was killed by a leopard in Kruger National Park in South Africa.
The leopard managed to gain access to a fenced area of the park and to seize the boy, who was the son of an employee.
The family members transported the boy to the hospital, but his death was noticed upon his arrival.
The park said in a statement that such attacks were "very rare", but the rangers killed the leopard to "eliminate the danger".
Ike Phaahla, a spokesman for the park, said that the exact circumstances of the toddler's death were still not known.
He said animals were naturally afraid of humans and generally did not approach them.
"In parks like KNP, predators interact with tourists and staff, which can sometimes cause species like the leopard to get used to people and lose fear," said Phaahla.
Park visitors followed strict rules to protect themselves from animals, such as locking doors and moving in groups, he said, adding that a leopard would be "very brave" to attack an adult adult but could "take the risk with a child between two to six years".
Leopards can access fenced areas by climbing trees
He said that people visiting and working in the park enjoyed the greatest possible protection through fenced accommodation to prevent animals from entering, but he had found a way to get in.
"We must respect the fact that they are wild animals," he said.
Fundisile Mketeni, Executive Director of South African National Parks, offered "prayers and thoughts" to the child's family.
"It's the risk with which we live daily as we help to conserve our species for the benefit of all," he said.
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