Krugersdorp Game Reserve owner killed by lions

by Jordan Yerman | April 20, 2007 at 08:26 am

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I couldn't file this under "Crime", since the lions were just being lions. No matter how the safari industry tries to spin it, the bush is a dangerous place, full of dangerous things like lions. These lions didn't disperse once the paramedics arrived; they stuck around, perhaps waiting for a second course.

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.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Mark Stokoe said paramedics called to the scene were unable to attend to Brink immediately because the pack of five lions were still "lurking around".

"The lions didn't leave. For over an hour after the paramedics arrived they were still waiting to attend to the scene," Stokoe told the Mail & Guardian Online.

"It was extremely unsafe for paramedics and they had to wait for game rangers and police to chase the lions away."

"The attack was very bad," he said. "It was quite severe ... when [the paramedics] got to him he was already dead."

Stokoe said that medical services were able to reach Brink at about 2.30pm and they immediately declared him dead.

Stokoe said it was not yet known why he had stepped out of his car, a 4x4. "The door to his car was open when we got there and it appears the lions dragged him to the bushes before attacking him."