Lions kill S. African game reserve owner

by Omphitlhetse Vivian Mooki
April 20 2007 at 05:50PM

Johannesburg – The man mauled to death by a pride of lions at the Krugersdorp Game Reserve on the West Rand on Friday is the owner of the reserve, police said.

Captain Joseph Mogoai identified the victim as Dirk Brink, 58.

Brink died after the lions attacked him shortly after 12.30pm. Police were baffled by the incident.

“No one can explain what happened and we are investigating an inquest,” Mogoai said.

Paramedics called to the scene had to watch as Brink was being mauled by the lions because “it was extremely dangerous for them to approach”, Netcare 911 spokesman Mark Stokoe said.

“Paramedics could not attend to him immediately and they had to wait for game rangers and police to chase the lions away.”

He said it took a “significant amount of time” for the rangers and police to chase the lions away, and when they did, Brink was already dead.

“The attack was very bad.”

“The door to his car was open when we got there and it appears the lions dragged him to the bushes before attacking him.”

The game reserve refused to comment.

An employee at the reserve who identified herself as Sunet said: “We don’t have comment,” before slamming down the phone.

http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id= nw20070420172006298C637695