TZANEEN: Boy attacked by lion at lodge

Jayden Swanepoel a 9 year old, believe to be from Springs was allegedly ‘attacked’ by a lion at a Lodge outside Tzaneen on Tuesday.

Sonja Swanepoel, Jayden’s mother, posted the following on the ‘Hemelse Pêrels’ Facebook group with a photo of the boy:

‘Jayden. In Tzaneen at a lodge where people get to interact with the animals, where he was attacked by a lion. He’s in surgery now. Please keep him in your prayers.’

Swanepoel later posted:  ‘My boy is out of surgery and he’s doing well. He’s eating and speaking – the first thing he asked for was biltong! Thank you for all your prayers’.

And: ‘Update. He’s out of theater and looking good, eating and drinking too’, says one of the Facebook posts.

Letaba Herald’s website reported on Tuesday evening that the boy was attacked by a lion and allegedly had his throat ripped open. According to sources he immediately went into surgery.

Swanepoel was not prepared to comment.

‘I’m not willing to do an interview. All I can say is that it all happened so quickly. We’re just grateful my boy’s alive. The staff at the lodge gave us plenty of support, and we’re on our way back to thank them personally’, she told the Herald.

Attempts to accompany the family to the lodge were unsuccessful.

The Lodge also had nothing to say to the Herald.

Letaba River Lodge is a major tourist attraction in Tzaneen, and is especially popular among locals for facilitating direct contact with lions and other animals being rehabilitated there.

They also provide an excellent conference and function venue.

Visitors to the park sign an indemnity form before coming into contact with the animals and are accompanied by qualified and friendly guides.

Since neither Swanepoel nor the Lodge would make any statements, the cause of the attack is unclear.

According to a major publisher, comment has been reserved exclusively to certain media publications.

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