Continents away and on the same day, two women lost their lives after lions mauled them to death.
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The first incident occurred in Africa near the Zimbabwean town of Kariba. A woman and her boyfriend were attacked by as many as seven of the large cats while they were having sex in a bushy area outside.
Sharai Mawera and her unidentified fisherman friend were in the middle of the act when they were suddenly jumped from behind by the pride.
According to the Harare Herald:
The man, who was naked save for a condom, managed to escape, turning around only once to see a helpless Mawera being thrashed about before fleeing to seek help.
Unfortunately, due to his state of undress, the man had a difficult time convincing passing motorists to assist him, and by the time he was finally able to reach a police station and escort wildlife management officials back to the scene of the mauling, it was too late.
An ocean away in California, a 24-year-old intern who volunteered at a wild animal park went into a lion’s den by herself and was mauled to death by the 4-year-old lion.
A source familiar with Cat Haven tells CBS News that accessing the lion’s enclosure would mean violating the rules, by opening one of several locked doors.
Officials say a worker tried to lure the animal into a nearby enclosure so rescuers could get to the badly-injured woman. But when it didn’t work, officers shot and killed the animal.
Dale Anderson, founder and executive director of Project Survival Cat Haven, said at a press conference, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friend and family and to her family at this time and through this trying time. We will keep you guys posted as things progress around here. Thank you.”
The lion, named Couscous, had previously appeared on The Ellen Show when he was just a few months old. The expert featured on the TV show said at the time, “Look at those claws. You can imagine what this guy is going to be like when he weighs five or six hundred pounds. Just incredible predators.”
Our thoughts and prayers to the victims’ families.
