Man eaten by pride of lions

A pride of lions has killed and eaten a man at a game farm in South Africa's North West province, police have said.

Samuel Boosen, 36, a caretaker at the Aloe Ridge Lodge at Swartruggens, about 90 miles west of Johannesburg, had gone into the lion enclosure to feed the animals when he was attacked.

Police spokesman superintendent Lesego Metsi said: "He went into the cage ... (about) nine lions then attacked and ate him up until the only parts that remained were the skull and spine.

"It happened in full view of two witnesses."

He said it was unclear why Mr Boosen, who had worked at the lodge for four years, had gone into the enclosure as he usually fed the lions by placing meat through the fence.

He added that police did not suspect foul play.

A game reserve owner was eaten by a pride of lions at his farm near Johannesburg in April last year, after reportedly suffering a stroke and falling out of his vehicle.

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