EZEMVELO KZN Wildlife has confirmed reports that an employee was attacked and killed by a lioness in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) this morning.
According to Ezemvelo spokesperson Musa Mntambo, the lioness, which was sick, was within four metres of the deceased when she attacked him.
‘Colleagues intervened and destroyed the lioness, but the employee had been severely injured and succumbed to his injuries’.
The incident occurred at about 7.30am today.
The deceased had been stationed at HiP for the past 16 years where he worked as a water attendant. Ezemvelo has informed the family and will help organise funeral arrangements. The organisation has also arranged for trauma counselling for the deceased’s colleague who was present when the incident occurred.
Ezemvelo CEO David Mabunda expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased.
‘It is not normal for a lion to attack a human being. This seldom happens, but could occur when a lioness is protecting young cubs or is sick and unable to hunt,’ he said.
According to the Park Management Plan, sick lions are destroyed to minimise such incidents.
The name of the deceased will be released once all family members have been informed.
