Woman, 22, killed by lioness at game lodge

Animals have been poached in increasing numbers over recent years

A 22-YEAR-OLD woman died yesterday after she was mauled by a lioness at a game lodge in Hammanskraal in northern Gauteng.

Netcare 911 said it was alerted to the incident at around 11am.

“Reports from the scene allege that a 22-year-old female was attacked and mauled by a lioness,” Netcare 911 spokesperson Nick Dollman said.

“When Netcare 911 paramedics arrived at the scene, bystanders had initiated CPR. Tragically, the victim had sustained severe injuries.

“The Cullinan SAPS were at the scene to investigate the incident.”

In a separate incident, on February 12, a suspected poacher was mauled to death and eaten by a pack of lions close to the Kruger National Park, police said, adding that little was left of the victim’s body.

The remains were found in the bush at a private game park near Hoedspruit in the northern province of Limpopo, where animals have been poached in increasing numbers over recent years.

A loaded hunting rifle was found near the body.

A week before that, there were local reports that the police had opened an investigation after a man was attacked and killed by lions near Hoedspruit.

The man was allegedly driving a tractor which got stuck a few metres before he could reach his compound. While walking on foot, he was subsequently attacked by a pride of lions.

His half-lifeless body was saved after the lions were scared off by gunshots.

Last year, several lions were found poisoned near a farm in the same province. Their heads and paws had been sawn off.