LIMPOPO- The lion which attacked its owner at a private game reserve near Thabazimbi in Limpopo over the weekend was killed during the incident.
The owner Michael Hodge, 72, of Marakele Predator Centre “bottle raised” Shamba since birth. During the attack Hodge injured his jaw and sustained injuries to his neck during the attack.
Bernadette Maguire a family spokesperson told New24 that Hodge was recovering in hospital after the incident and was traumatized after the attack.
Maguire said, “He is very upset about the loss of Shamba and I think he is trying to put up a brave face, but he is really battling to come to terms [with] what has happened.”
She said that he is walking for the for the first time since the incident, with the help of a physiotherapist at Milpark hospital.
She added, “The prognosis is looking good, provided that his infection stays under control. His wounds have been left open in order to ensure that the infection does not set into his body.”
She said the family were relieved that Hodge was recovering but were distraught by the loss of Shamba the lion. They owned the lion for 10 years.
She said that during the incident, Hodge would gets out of the vehicle to open the camp’s gate before they drive out, “Someone outside the camp will then take Shamba’s attention off so that he walks away from the vehicle and the gate. Mike does this regularly. Shamba mysteriously turned around on Saturday.”
Photo Credit- CBS News
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