A South African lion breeder was killed by one of the lionesses he was caring for. West Mathewson, 69, was walking two white lionesses on Wednesday when one of them suddenly attacked and killed him at the Lion Tree Top Lodge in Limpopo province.
Nicknamed “Uncle West,” the man had been raising felines from a young age and used to communicating with them. His wife Gill, 65, was in the car behind him during the attack but was unable to intervene, according to a statement from the family lawyer.
What fate for the lions?
The lions have been temporarily transferred to another facility pending a decision on their fate. The family of the victim assured that they would be "released in the best environment available to accommodate them".
South Africa has some 8,000 lions kept in enclosures for hunting, bone trading, tourism and academic research, according to estimates from wildlife groups. However, the country has only 3,000 animals in the wild, living in national parks where hunting is prohibited.
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