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REUTERS
Photo: Reuters
A man of 65 who was recalled from retirement to work for the Joburg Zoo has been killed by a lioness that got out of its enclosure.
The incident took place on Parys Zoo Farm in the Free State, where the zoo keeps animals that are not comfortable living in enclosed zoo camps, and for breeding.
Police spokesman Malesela Langa said Joe Ramanata was feeding the animals when the lioness attacked him on Monday.
Ramanata died on arrival at the Parys Hospital, he said.
The lioness had not escaped from the farm.
“What we know is that (Ramanata) was cleaning the area where the animals live and was feeding them when he was attacked,” Langa said.
“He was seriously injured and was taken to the Parys Hospital. Unfortunately, he could not be saved and died on arrival there.”
Ramanata was originally from Limpopo and had extensive experience working with the animals as he had worked for the zoo since the 1970s.
Zoo spokeswoman Louise Gordon said the incident probably occurred because of human error as it appeared that one of the enclosures was not locked.
The lionness had not escaped from Parys Zoo Farm as the lions were enclosed in a safe area, Gordon said.
“When (the lioness) came out there was no way she could escape as they are contained within an enclosure which is inside another court,” she said.
The staff were well trained to handle the animals.
Ramanata was experienced at his job as he had worked there for many years.
“That is why staff are so shocked because he was well known and had extensive experience in dealing with the animals,” Gordon said.
Police said they had opened an inquest docket on Ramanata’s death.
mogomotsi.magome@inl.co.za - Pretoria News
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Victor, wrote
Its an unfortunate and sad incident but when you choose to work with wild animals you should also knowingly accept the risk and responsibility for your own safety. The lion is still a wild animal and cant be blamed for acting on instinct, especially during feeding time. We as humans make mistakes all the time. It could have been avoided so why pass the blame to the lion?
Mezzi, wrote
@James and all that agree with him, Go put yourselves down, clearly you have walked into the stupid bush to many times
Anonymous, wrote
Why was he feeding wild animals- isnt there a rule against acsuals feeding wild animals... heads should roll- i sense exploitation here!!!! point is- when you retire, you are no longer fit to do the job, period!
Anonymous, wrote
I love animals of all kinds, and I just want to say that there seems to be a different set of rules for dogs who harm humans and lions who harm humans...i dont condone putting down any animals especially when the error is on the human side, why do animals suffer and why are there different rules for different animals just a thought
Anonymous, wrote
There are too many people breeding Lions for no good reason. Every second town now have a Lion and Predators Park. There is no control over these breeders and nobody is looking after the Lions interest. What happen to all the Lions cups? I can only think of one industry!!! When is our goverment going to stop this cruelty by stopping these so called parks. This poor worker loss his live because of somebodys greed.
Anonymous, wrote
@James, This animal did what she was supposed to do as a lion, she should never have been put in a cage by Humans..... people with narrow little minds like yours, should be ones being put down, leave our wildlife where they belong, wild and free and not in cages.
Anonymous, wrote
These Zoo Farms, are they breeding places for the hunting market? I always wonder why these magnificent animals should be sentenced to life in prison. No wonder they attack when the opportunity arises. I would also try to break out of prison if I was incarcerated without having done anything wrong. I'm sorry for this man and his family, but lions should roam free, not be kept in cages for man's pleasure and greed.
Michael, wrote
@James, You're an idiot. How on earth can you advocate putting the lioness down. SHe did nothing wrong. SHe did not behave badly. She behaved like a lion, as should be expected. How can we as a species claim dominion over others on our planet, if we fail to respect them in THEIR environment & habitat?
Buttercup, wrote
Condolences to the family, so sad. It was an accident, plain and simple, he must have just let his guard down for an instant. She is a wild animal, they dont have human conciences, she didnt know she was doing wrong. She saw something that annoyed her and she attacked.
neville, wrote
With the quality of our investigators, I won't be suprised if it is ruled has human error & it was the dead man's fault. Was all the fail-safe's in place, was the standard procedures followed ... was it common practice for people to be left alone with dangerous animals. Those who earn the big bucks, need to to be held responsible, if there was insufficient supervision & safety measures where not enforced.
grep, wrote
Lots of trolls in these comments, trying to illicit comments. It's a known psychological problem now.
Anonymous, wrote
when you work with animals and leave them for some time they start thinking you are no more part of their packfamily and when you come back they express that they don't want you cause they don't know what your intentions are coming back. Perhaps this is what happened.
root, wrote
Jame you are right and Leviticu say the same too, people should read it and they will also learn more things that this World saying they are right but they are clearly wrong....jame you are right..
root, wrote
kuvha, wrote
send that lion back to kruger national park surely that where it belong,dont kill her rather save her life the lion was just fighting for her freedom,been locked in the cage is like death sentence,please free all the pprisoner that are still locked in the zoos prisons,free all the animals and save their life
Anonymous, wrote
No animals should be kept in zoos - they should be in the wild roaming freely as God intended for them and if they eat some humans along the way, too bad. It is we that have taken away their land, hunted them and treated them cruelly and I most definitely stand on the side of the animal.
Anonymous, wrote
@ James. I disagree with you, this lioness does not need to be put down. The fact that she came into contact with someone isn't her fault, and she can be looked after WITHOUT EVER HAVING HUMAN CONTACT AGAIN. If she does need to have human contact again, a tranquilizer will be sufficient. Needlessly killing animals just because they've tasted human blood is barbaric, a waste, selfish and inhumane. GET OFF YOUR HIGH AND MIGHTY PEDESTAL AND REALIZE THAT ANIMALS HAVE RIGHTS AND FEELINGS TO. By the same token, we've had a taste of plenty animals, does that give the animals the right to put us down?. We, as humans, do animals of this planet a great disservice. One day, we won't have animals anymore because we will destroy them all!!!!!.
root, wrote
“And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. And I looked, and behold, a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.” Revelation 6:7-8.
Anonymous, wrote
Active, wrote
I like the Joburg Zoo, pity about mr ramanata. On my last visit I noticed hoards of FAT women Zookeepers stuffing their faces and milling around, I even fixed a sign lying on the floor at old lion enclosure. Also there seemed to be a proliferation of domestic cats in the zoo, perhaps living off the leftovers thrown out.
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