Two young male lions have been killed by humans at a wildlife reserve in South Africa, police said Monday. The lions had attacked and killed a man who was a game tracking specialist.
Game trackers are people who search for wild animals in nature reserves so they can advise tourists where to go to spot elephants, lions and other wild animals.
The incident took place near the Marabata luxury lodges, situated in the Marakele National Park in the province of Limpopo.
The man was looking for wild animals when he reportedly decided to stop his vehicle and continue his search on foot. As he was walking, “he was suddenly attacked and killed by two lions,” said officer Motlafela Mojapelo in a statement.
“Someone who was also driving inside the park noticed these two lions busy devouring the deceased and he then alerted the park manager who alerted the police,” he added.
Police said the lions were found eating the man’s body and were both immediately shot and killed by the rangers.
Mojapelo said putting the big cats down was in line with conservation policies. “When the lion acts like that (their nature), obviously they will repeat the same deed,” he said.
In a statement, the South African National Parks authority SANParks confirmed that the two lions were euthanized immediately.
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