Jackal attacks Lüderitz toddler

What started off as a normal morning for Lüderitz resident Meridith Gewers (40) turned into a nightmare when his one-year-old son was attacked by a jackal earlier this month.

“The day [Thursday, 9 June] started off very normal. I was in the house getting ready for work and the children, as usual, were busy playing in the front yard of the house,” Gewers, a security guard, said.

The children were playing soccer and his son, Adrihano, was running back and forth to get the ball, he narrated.

However, when the toddler went to get the ball near the gate – which was open – he was attacked by a jackal.

His older brother ran inside to call for help.

Gewers said all he recalls is seeing a lot of blood and his son’s right ear hanging from his head.

Members of the community chased the jackal but failed to catch it as it ran into the mountains, he said.

‘My heart aches’

“In all my years of living in Lüderitz, this is the first time something like this has happened.

“My heart still aches just thinking about that day because my son is still a baby and the jackal that attacked him was a fully grown animal,” Gewers said.

Adrihano's ear was successfully stitched back in place.

When contacted, the environment ministry declined to comment, saying their investigations are ongoing.

Gewers said he hopes the injury does not affect his son’s hearing or cause any further damage to his ear.

“Right now, I just pray that my son gets well soon and that the ministry continues to conduct patrols for wild animals to not cross the boundaries so that something like this does not happen again,” he said.