A woman watched helplessly as her husband was mauled to death by two white lions in the northern Limpopo province of South Africa.
The 69-year-old West Mathewson was mobbed by the lions when he went for a walk on Wednesday morning around the game lodge that he ran.
According to South African police on Thursday, Mathewson was dead with multiple injuries when police and emergency services arrived following a distress call.
The deceased used to walk about with these lions on the game farm, Brigadier Motlafela said.
“It looks like the lions were used to him, but as the police we often warn people to always be wary of wild animals regardless of the circumstances under which they are kept.”
Photos on the website of the Lion Tree Game Lodge showed visitors photographed posing with the lions.
Customer review on the game lodge website by two guests calling themselves Gogo and Mandisa noted that during their stay “the highlight for them was the walks with the two white lioness cubs.”
“West [leaves] nothing to chance. He has a few guides/security that walk with the guests ensuring that the cubs do not get rough. It is VERY safe,” the review added.
The lions have since been relocated to another game lodge, since the mauling.
