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South African conservationist killed by white lions kept at his safari lodge

The lions had lived at Mathewson's lodge since they were rescued as cubs - Lion Tree Top Lodge/Facebook
The lions had lived at Mathewson's lodge since they were rescued as cubs - Lion Tree Top Lodge/Facebook

A well known South African conservationist was mauled to death in the bush on Wednesday by two mature white lions kept at his safari lodge.

The attack came after West Mathewson, 68, unlocked the gate into the enclosure where the two lionesses lived, in order to take them for a morning walk.

His wife Gill, 65, attempted to distract the lions but Mathewson had already suffered a fatal injury.

The two 400-lb lionesses, Tanner and Demi, had already killed a man working on a neighbouring property after they broke out of their paddock in 2017. Security around the enclosure was reinforced following that attack.

The lions had been kept at the lodge since they were rescued from a canned hunting farm as cubs.

Many wildlife experts in South Africa say that it is not appropriate to try to domesticate or keep lions away from the wild as they are predators. At least 10 South Africans were killed by lions they were looking after in recent years. 

Mathewson's daughter-in-law Tehri Fergusson told The Telegraph it was unclear why the lions had killed him and suggested his death might have been the result of "rough play".

“We will only know why he died when we have the results of the autopsy," she said.

“We have to realise, West was not as young as he thought he was.  We are still not sure what actually happened but there was very rough play.”

The lionesses had previously killed a man after escaping their enclosure in 2017 - Lion Tree Top Lodge/Facebook
The lionesses had previously killed a man after escaping their enclosure in 2017 - Lion Tree Top Lodge/Facebook

She said the lions had not tried to eat her father-in-law.

There are hundreds of canned hunting farms in South Africa, which many conservationists want outlawed because the lions are only bred to be shot.

White lions have a recessive gene which is still present in southern Africa’s wild population.

The Mathewson family run a well-known safari operation, Lion Tree Top Lodge, near the small town of Hoedspruit, about 280 miles north west of Johannesburg and close to Kruger National Park.

The Lodge is hugely popular with tourists, according to booking agents in Cape Town.

The two lionesses were tranquilised following the attack and were taken to a local endangered species centre.

“They are in a safe place now and they will be cared for and loved, and then they will be let loose into the wild, but they will not be returning here,” said Ms Fergusson.

The lodge only re-opened for business last weekend following South Africa’s coronavirus lockdown.