American tourist killed by lion had been taking pictures
The American tourist mauled to death by a lion on a South African safari had been taking pictures out of the car window.
29-year-old Katherine Chappell, a visual effects film editor who was on a volunteer mission to help protect animals from poachers, was photographing the cat as it approached her vehicle and dragged her out of the window.
Witnesses said that both front windows of the victim’s car, which was driven by a local tour guide, were open throughout her visit to the 20-acre enclosure, where she was attacked.
The Lion Park in Johannesburg said it tells visitors to keep windows closed but are sometimes ignored.
The tour guide, who is South African, is recovering in hospital with serious injuries to his arms after attempting to save his client from the lion.
The US State Department confirmed the American tourist’s death in Lion Park, Johannesburg, on June 1 in a statement.
"We are providing all possible consular assistance," Julia Straker, a State Department spokesperson, stated.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim of this terrible tragedy.
"Out of respect for the privacy of the family, we have no further details to share."
Fellow tourists who watched as the nine-year-old lioness killed Chappell through an open window have handed over pictures of the fatal attack.
Lion Park officials released a statement on its Facebook page Tuesday announcing that the lioness who claimed Katherine Chappell’s life will not be put down. She has been identified and was being kept in a separate enclosure.
Diane
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