A lion mauled a recreation park employee to loss of life earlier than consuming him as he launched into a forbidden nighttime stroll in a South African reserve.

Johannes Matshe, 30, was killed on the grounds of the Dinokeng Game Reserve in Gauteng, the place he labored as an worker, after he ventured outdoor on the evening of Sunday, August 13.

He was stalked and mercilessly attacked by one of many reserve's massive cat residents, which left his blood-spattered stays scattered over the grounds.

Mr Matshe was found by the park's operations supervisor, who discovered his colleague's physique the morning after the assault.

Reserve representatives have mentioned he might have been perceived as a "normal prey species" by the lion, which left behind a grisly scene.

Horrifying footage confirmed the extent of the assault inflicted on Mr Matshe earlier than he was discovered on Monday.

The photographs, that are too gory for Express.co.uk to publish, present strips of flesh torn from the employee's cranium and a severed leg mendacity within the tall grass.

Hartogh Streicher, a spokesman for Dinokeng, mentioned nighttime walks on the reserve are harmful and strictly forbidden.

He warned that lions are "nocturnal animals, driven by their natural instinct and hunting patterns".

He added that they could understand individuals strolling out at evening as a "normal prey species".

The reserve is now looking for professional recommendation, and it's presently unclear whether or not the lions have grow to be "unnaturally dangerous".

Mr Streicher mentioned: "Concerning the management of the lions responsible for this killing, no decision has been reached whether they have become unnaturally dangerous."

"But the reserve is receiving expert advice to make the most responsible decision possible for all parties concerned."

He requested all native landowners to remain vigilant and be careful for gamekeepers and guests to make sure the incident just isn't repeated.

Local officers with the Hammanskraal state police, underneath Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, have taken on the investigation.

Officers at the moment are working to know how Mr Matshe was in a position to enter the reserve at evening.