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A 70-year-old man has been mauled to death by the three lions he held in captivity at a private park 20 miles outside Pretoria, South Africa.
The deceased, Leon van Biljon, a.k.a The Lion Man, was the owner of Mahala View Lion Game Lodge near Cullinan in South Africa.
The names of the lions, according to the park’s website, are Rambo, Nakita and Katryn.
Reports said the 70-year-old was fixing a broken fence at his enclosure when the attack occurred.
“[Emergency services] received a call of a lion attack at Dinokeng,” a Best Care ambulance service spokesperson said.
“We received information that the male [patient] was unresponsive and that a few lions were shot.
“We were also informed that the patient was not safe to approach as there was still a third lion in close
“When we arrived on the scene the patient was unresponsive and was declared dead after succumbing to his injuries.”
It was gathered that the lions were shot dead after the attack in order for people to be able to reach the deceased.
According to News 24, Mr van Biljon had reportedly raised the lions from when they were cubs. He also offered lion lectures, feedings and game drives for visitors,