This archive report was first published on 21 August 2019.
On August 21, 2019, a tragic incident occurred at the Mahala View Lion Game Lodge in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, South Africa. Three lions were shot and killed after mauling their owner, Leon van Biljon, 70, also known as 'The Lion Man', to death.
Van Biljon worked closely with the lions, including Rambo, Nakita, and lioness Katryn, at the game lodge. He had been trying to fix a broken fence in their enclosure when the attack occurred.
According to eyewitnesses, Van Biljon turned his back on the pride while fixing the fence, and one of the lions pounced on his back, piercing his teeth into the man's neck. Emergency services rushed to the scene but were unable to reach the victim, who was not moving and covered in blood.
The animals were shot dead to allow paramedics to access the enclosure and treat the man, but unfortunately, Van Biljon succumbed to his injuries.
A source at the lodge stated, 'There was nothing anyone could have done to save him.'
Animal activists were outraged by the incident, with Captive Wildlife Watchdog posting on Facebook, 'Yet another death caused by a lion raised by humans in captivity and used as an 'educational tool' for the public.'
Before his tragic death, Van Biljon had put the game lodge up for sale at £220,000 so he could retire.
