The hunter becomes the hunted: Safari park tracker searching for big game for rich tourists is EATEN by two lions in South Africa – which are then both killed
- A safari park tracker searching for wild game for rich tourists was eaten by lions
- The terrified tracker was out alone scouting the 22,000 hectare grounds
- South African Police spokesman confirmed the death of Malibongwe Mfila, 27
- He added that the two lions had been shot dead following the attack
A safari park tracker searching for wild game for rich tourists was ambushed by two lions and eaten alive as he followed the tracks of a pair of cheetahs.
Malibongwe Mfila, 27, had seen the tracks divert off the dirt road he was following in his jeep and stopped to follow where they went on foot.
But within just 20 metres two young male lions who were lying camouflaged in a thicket leaped out and dragged him to the ground before beginning to eat him.
The lions were subsequently shot, a police spokesperson confirmed.
Malibongwe Mfila, 27, was ambushed by two lions and eaten alive as he followed the tracks of a pair of cheetahs
Tragic Malibongwe Mfila, 27, (right) had seen the spoor divert off the dirt road he was following in his jeep and stopped to track where they went on foot. He was attacked and killed by the lions who were later shot, in an image released by the South African Police Service, left
The terrified tracker was out alone scouting the 22,000 hectare grounds in his vehicle at the Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marakele National Park for signs of the Big 5.
South African Police spokesman Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo confirmed the young ranger was attacked and killed by the lions who were later shot.
He said: ‘He was busy driving around in the bush looking for animals like elephants and lions in order to tell the guides where to do game drives.
Marataba Safari Lodge is pictured above. Marataba’s Park Management confirmed two young male lions had been euthanised and that post mortems were being conducted out on both
‘He reportedly stopped his vehicle and got out and as he was walking away from the road he was suddenly attacked and killed by two lions’ he said.
The police spokesman said another driver in the park spotted the two lions still eating the employee and summoned help and they were shot.
South African National Parks spokesman Reynold Thakhuli said: ‘He was tracking wildlife as part of his usual duties for Marataba when he died.
‘He was following up on cheetah tracks and appears to have alighted from the vehicle and had walked just 20 metres when he came upon two male lions.
‘They attacked and killed him,’ he said.
Marataba’s Park Management confirmed two young male lions had been euthanised and that post-mortems were being conducted on both.
Robert More who is CEO and owner of the More Family Collection which owns the luxury £750 a night safari lodge paid tribute to their tracker.
The terrified tracker was out alone scouting the 22,000 hectare grounds in his vehicle at the Marataba Safari Lodge in the Marakele National Park for signs of the Big 5. A lion is pictured above in this stock image
He said: ‘Malibongwe was an integral part of the Marataba Luxury Lodges field guiding team and had great promise for a very successful future.
‘The Marataba family is devastated by his loss and his sunny disposition coupled with his natural talent will be sorely missed by us all here.’
The safari lodge is a four-hour drive from Johannesburg at the foot of the Waterberg Mountains in Limpopo Province and is home to the Big 5.
They are lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant and Malibongwe’s job was to try and scout out where they were and radio details to game rangers.
A male lion can weigh 500lbs and be four feet tall at the shoulder and up to 7 feet in length.