HOEDSPRUIT: Conservationist killed by one of his beloved white lions

West Mathewson (69), respected conservationist of the Lion Tree Top Lodge in Hoedspruit, has died of his injuries after he was attacked by one of his beloved white lions on Wednesday.

Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, Limpopo police spokesperson, confirmed that an inquest has been opened after the incident occurred around 08:30 on Wednesday morning.

According to a representative of the farm, he went walking with the lions this morning as per usual. His wife followed in a vehicle. One of the female lions became aggressive towards another lion but then turned her attention to Mathewson, causing a severe injury to his groin which in turn caused severe bleeding. His wife managed to alert the neighbours but it was unfortunately too late.

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At the time if the incident there were no guests present and following the incident all the lions were darted and moved to a sanctuary.

Mathewson is a well-known conservationist in the Hoedspruit area. He rescued the two white lions as cubs from canned hunting when they were only a few days old and raised them at the lodge. 

On their website the lodge said they raised the white lions to educate people about the plight of lions in the wild. They were kept in an enclosure. Their Facebook page has many photos of visitors interacting with the lions. 

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In January 2017 the lions escaped the enclosure and attacked an employee collecting wood on a neighbouring farm. The man later succumbed to his injuries. At the time Mathewson told National Geographic that the lions escaped their enclosure by climbing a tree and jumping over the fence. He stressed that the lions “are friendly and not aggressive” and that he walks with them 3-4 hours per day.

Police confirmed in a statement that the incident took place while his wife was helplessly watching. “Police and emergency services were activated and on arrival, the man was found with multiple injuries. He was declared dead on the scene. The lionesses have since been moved to another game lodge in the area.”

Provincial commissioner of police in Limpopo, Lt Gen Nneke Ledwaba, has warned owners of wildlife to be careful around dangerous animals.