Johannesburg, August 18: In a tragic incident, a game park worker identified as Johannes Matshe, aged 30, was killed by a lion in the Dinokeng Game Reserve in Gauteng, South Africa. He was fatally attacked and eaten alive by a lion during an unauthorised nighttime walk on Sunday, August 13. Matshe fell victim to a relentless assault by one of the prominent big cats inhabiting the reserve.

According to media reports, Matshe was discovered by the park's operations manager, who found his colleague's body the morning after the attack. The harrowing lion attack left his blood-spattered remains scattered over the grounds. According to representatives of the reserve, it is suggested that the lion may have viewed him as a "typical prey species," resulting in a gruesome aftermath that painted a disturbing scene.

Disturbing images showcased the severity of the attack suffered by Matshe prior to his discovery on Monday. These visuals, too graphic for publication on latestly.com, show sections of flesh ripped from the worker's skull, alongside a detached leg resting amidst the tall grass.

Hartogh Streicher, a spokesperson for Dinokeng, emphasised that taking walks within the reserve during nighttime poses significant risks and is explicitly prohibited. He cautioned that lions, being creatures of the night, are guided by their inherent instincts and hunting behaviours.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2023 08:13 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).