Lion's deteriorating health conditions detailed after attack

Lion's deteriorating health conditions detailed after attack

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife says regular checks are conducted to detect tuberculosis in animals at game parks. 

Lion
Gallo Images

The comment comes as officials say a lioness that attacked and killed employee Vusimuzi Kubeka at the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park on Monday tested positive for a strain of TB known as Bovine Tuberculosis.


Ezemvelo CEO David Mabunda says they believe the lion contracted the disease from buffalo.


Mabunda says while they've tried to contain the disease, there are pockets of it around the country.


Also read: KZN Ezemvelo to re-evaluate security systems at Hluhluwe


"This lion was found to be TB positive and even its lung structure had discolouring. Secondly, one of its hind legs was broken which meant that it couldn't hunt. It also meant that it was left behind all the time. Humans then become easy targets," he said.


Mabunda visited Kubeka's family today in Ezimambeni.


(File photo: Gallo Images)


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