UPDATE: Respected conservationist dies after lion attack

West Mathewson (68), respected conservationist of the Lion Tree Top Lodge in Hoedspruit, has died of his injuries after he was attacked by his beloved white lions on Wednesday around 08:30.

The incident was confirmed by Limpopo police spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

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

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In a statement released by the office of the provincial commissioner of Limpopo, it was said that the Hoedspruit police will open a case of inquest after the owner was mauled to death.

According to the statement, “It is believed that the two lionesses attacked the deceased during one of their usual walks. The incident allegedly took place while his wife was helplessly watching.

“The 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.”

At the Lion Tree Top Lodge, the white lions were raised to educate people about the plight of these animals in the wild. They were kept in an enclosure.

In January 2017 the lions escaped the enclosure and attacked an employee on a neighbouring farm. The man later succumbed to his injuries.

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The lodge’s Facebook page has many photos of visitors interacting with the lions. At the time Mathewson told National Geographic that they had escaped their enclosure by climbing a tree and jumping over the fence.

He stressed that these lions were friendly and not aggressive and that he walked with them three to four hours per day.

On Wednesday afternoon the telephone at the lodge went unanswered.