http://www.news24.com/Travel/S...-little-boy-20130722


Bloemfontein - A ‘tame' lioness attacked a ten-year-old boy at the Zanchieta Wildcat farm outside Bloemfontein over the weekend.

Beeld reports that Johan Opperman, a learner from Willem Postma Primary in Bloemfontein, visited the farm with his father, Andries, to celebrate Elsa's, the lioness who attacked him, fifth birthday party.

Mid-celebration, Elsa managed to get hold of Johan's arm through her encampment's railings and kept a fierce grip on his jacket sleeve. The boy was standing with his back to the encampment when Elsa swiped her paw through the railing and grabbed his left arm.

He was rushed to the Bloemfontein Mediclinic where his wound was cleaned under anaesthetic to destroy any bacteria and prevent infection.

Amanda Appelgryn, a spokesperson for the hospital said Johan would undergo an operation on Monday to reattach muscle and tissue.

Scores of people visited the farm over the weekend to celebrate Elsa's birthday. Her owner, Miekie van Ronder, 25, had spent much of the day inside the Elsa's enclosure and was fortunately there to help release the lion's grip on the little boy.

Van Tonder said she felt embarrassed and terrible about the incident. "Lions stay wild. They are not like cheetah, which lose their wildness after a while in captivity," she said.

This comes a few weeks after a similar incident involving a Canadian tourist took place at the Moholoholo wildlife rehabilitation centre in Hoedspruit.

Zanchieta Wilcat farm is a popular Free State tourist attraction.

A friend in the free state breeds white lions, and we often go and visit and play with the cubs.

There is a young male who is now about three that usually allows you to give him a scratch but this year is getting a bit too big. I had some clients squat in front of the enclosure, to take pictures and the second they turned their backs on him you could see his eyes change and the ears went flat. The handler urged them to move away.

I think as they get older they revert to type and really people need to remember they are not your average kitty. The other thing is that you see as soon as there are children around the enclosures, the lions all switch on and focus their attention on the little people.

It's good to see the young lad get away with it.

K

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The other thing is that you see as soon as there are children around the enclosures, the lions all switch on and focus their attention on the little people.

The same line of thought that goes through our minds I suppose - we too tend to perk at the thought of veal tenderloin and suckling pig

Funny how lions tend to behave like lions.

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A ‘tame' lioness attacked a ten-year-old boy at the Zanchieta Wildcat farm outside Bloemfontein over the weekend.

No such thing as a tame lion, they are only tolerant of people at times but they are still wild by nature and can attack at any time.

meat is meat two legged or 4

I know folks have walked with lions in Africa with
a fellow there who has had a number of lions for a
period of years. These lions are accustomed to walk-
ing with small groups of people. I would NEVER do
it! I would NEVER condone my 25 year old son doing
it if he asked my opinion. I'd never take my 12 and
or 14 year old to do it!!!