Leon van Biljon, a 70-year-old man, also known as the lion man was killed by one of his three lions on Tuesday, on a game farm east of Pretoria.
According to a report by Netwerk24, van Biljon was fixing a fence in the enclosure and it is presumed that he may have been sitting with his back to the three lions ‘when one of them attacked him by his neck’.
According to the news report, the attack took place at Mahala View Lodge near Cullinan, which is owned by Mr van Biljon.
Leon van Biljon (70) with one of his lions. Image: Mahala View Lodge/Facebook
A caretaker at the farm saw the attack and shouted for help. Neighbours arrived and all three lions had to be shot in order to get to van Biljon, however it was too late to save him.
Constable Connie Moganedi, Cullinan police spokesperson, said they were investigating the circumstances of the attack.
‘The caretaker allegedly saw the owner dragged by two animals inside the cage and he screamed for help. People came and tried to rescue the victim but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries,’ she told Eye Witness News.
Best Care emergency services’ spokesperson Xander Loubser said, ‘the ambulance personnel arrived moments later only to declare him dead. I don’t know what transpired before they arrived.’
According to News24 Fiona Miles, director of International animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS in South Africa, said ‘all loss of life was tragic and their deepest sympathy went to his family’.
Image credit: Facebook/Mahala View Lodge
Also read: Lions saved from Gaza zoo settle into SA home
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