West Mathewson’s lions are taken care of
The white lions belonging to the Mathewson's family are safe and being kept at a sanctuary for now.
This is after one of the lions attacked and killed its owner West Mathewson on 26 August at the Lion Tree Top Lodge in Hoedspruit.
“They have the most unbelievable team of professionals taking care of them,” said Tehri Mathewson.
She told the Herald that her family would like to thank the community of Hoedspruit who came to celebrate the life of West Mathewson with them on Wednesday 2 September.
“The Mathewson family would like to thank everyone for their love, support and kindness through this absolutely devastating time. We ask you all to keep Gill and her boys in your prayers during this impossibly difficult time,” she said.
Also read: HOEDSPRUIT: Conservationist killed by one of his beloved white lions
Mathewson who was a well-known conservationist in the Hoedspruit area 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.
After the tragic incident the family issued a statement confirming the attack. They stated that Mathewson was walking with the lionesses called Demi and Tanner, when one of them started to attack their owner, without any warning.
“His wife, Gill witnessed the incident from the vehicle where she was driving behind West and the lionesses. She tried her best to rescue her husband, but was unable to do so,” read the statement.
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According to the statement Gill confirmed that West was always very careful when interacting with the lions and took all safety measures that he could.
“He loved them with his heart and his soul and although he was always aware that they remained wild animals, he raised and cared for them to the best of his ability. Although the family is heart broken by the loss of their husband, father and grandfather, they find comfort and peace with the fact that he died while living his dream, being in nature and with his lions that were so close to his heart.”
At the time if the incident there were no guests at the lodge.
