The shocking video footage below is making its round on social media, showing a 67-year-old man being attacked by a lion at the Makarele Predator Centre in Thabazimbi, South Africa.
Mike Hodge entered the lion’s enclosure to investigate a bad smell that he thought to be bothering the lion.
The lion, named Shamba, whom Hodge had raised since it was a cub, pounced on him as he was trying to exit through a gate and dragged him into some bushes. Hodge sustained injuries to his neck and jaw during this attack.
Lion attacks and drags away an elderly man pic.twitter.com/SaL2sSVBiz
— Crazy Clips (@crazyclipsonly) January 3, 2024
Shamba was shot and killed by a staff member to save Hodge’s life.
Hodge was hospitalized with serious injuries but was in a stable condition, able to walk with the aid of a physiotherapist, and was expected to recover, provided his infection remained under control.
Lion attacks and drags away an elderly man pic.twitter.com/SaL2sSVBiz
— Crazy Clips (@crazyclipsonly) January 3, 2024
The attack was witnessed by tourists who were being shown around the sanctuary at the time.
Hodge opened the reserve in 2010 with his wife and had owned Shamba for 10 years.
Never run from a lion. Had the people run in it would have scared the Lion off
I agree, he should never started to run, so happy he survived.
I can’t understand why people think that they can trust a wild animal?? These animals cannot be fully domesticated no matter how much time you have spent with it. A wild animal belongs in the wild, not in captivity so do not act surprised when one attacks a human for keeping it caged or fenced in.
This ain’t ‘Born Free’, dude. Wild animals are not meant to be in captivity, show them respect.
Nice kitty. Nice kitty.