A young woman has been mauled to death at a world-famous South Africa game reserve just weeks after super model Cara Delevingne posed there with a male lion in a photo shoot.
The 22-year-old was pounced on by a lioness at the Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary near Johannesburg as she walked to her car with a friend.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics to save her.
Mr Richardson, who became known as the ‘lion whisperer’ after taming lions used in adverts and documentaries, said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ at her death.
"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to her family," he said.
He explained that he was taking three lions on a walk through the Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, when the lioness ran off in pursuit of an antelope. "One of the lionesses charged off after an impala and must have run 2 to 2.5km where she encountered the 22-year-old," he said.
"The young woman was not a guest at the camp, but had accompanied her friend to conduct an interview for an assignment with the camp’s manager.
"Before leaving the reserve, the two visitors were taking photographs outside the camp where the attack occurred.
"I am devastated and my heart goes out to this young woman’s family."
Police and local authorities are now investigating the circumstances of yesterday morning’s attack.
Visitors to the wildlife reserve can pay to volunteer, take drives in safari vehicles or stay in tented accommodation.
