JOHANNESBURG - An American tourist has been killed and another person seriously injured in an attack by a lioness at the Lion Park near Lanseria.
The two people were travelling in the car with their windows apparently open.
It’s understood a lioness jumped through the open window, biting the woman who was in the passenger seat.
The driver, a tour guide, was badly injured while attempting to free the woman from the animal’s grasp.
The park’s Scott Simpson said, “There was a car driving to the lion camp and the lioness came through the window and it bit the tourist. The ambulance arrived quite soon but the lady has passed away.”
Watch: Lion mauls US tourist at The Lion Park in JHB
Lion Park officials say they believe the woman failed to comply with the park’s strict safety regulations.
The park says it gives clear instructions to all visitors to keep windows closed when touring the area.
Despite this, officials say witnesses spotted the woman and the tour guide driving through the park with their windows open.
Simpson says the park takes safety seriously.
“We have signage up everywhere informing people to keep their windows closed. We hand out flyers as they are driving in reminding them to keep their windows closed. We really do everything we can to make sure that people know that.”
Meanwhile, the tour guide is currently receiving treatment for severe injuries to his arms after he desperately tried to free the American tourist.
Management at the park has described today’s incident as unfortunate and has urged visitors not to leave their windows down.
It’s understood the lioness is now being kept in a separate enclosure.
Three months ago an Australian tourist was bitten in the thigh while driving though the park, also with his widow down.
WATCH: A lion opens a car door in early 2014
The Lion Park in the Honeydew area in Johannesburg is a popular destination for international tourists and is a regular must-see spot for visiting celebrities, including Shakira and John Legend.
