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Keepers step in to rescue male lion after pride of nine lionesses turn on him in front of shocked safari park visitors
PUBLISHED: 04:35 EDT, 6 September 2018 | UPDATED: 11:26 EDT, 6 September 2018
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A gang of lionesses have been filmed launching a vicious attack on a male after deciding they wanted to kill off the leader of the pride.
Terrifying footage showed the females sinking their teeth into his flesh and tearing at his fur after pouncing on him at West Midlands Safari Park.
Safari workers had to step in and spray fire extinguishers at the beasts to break up the ferocious attack after the male was left bloodied and battered.
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A gang of lionesses launched a ferocious attack on a male at West Midlands Safari Park. The male is seen letting out a painful roar
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About nine females sink their teeth into his skull and tear at his fur after pouncing on him
Lionesses - the real rulers of the pride
Lionesses sometimes kill of their male leader when when he's no longer in his prime years so they can bring in a younger male to breed with.
Lions live in a pride made up of related females who remain members of a pride long-term, whereas the male leader is interchangeable.
Male lions become a member of the pride only if the females accept him.
As a result, the life of a male lion is much more socially precarious than that of the females.
The lion has to win the grace of the females to become their pride male and usually will only be able to remain the pride male for three to five years.
The natural instinct for lionesses is to take out the male leader when he's no longer in his prime years - five to ten years old.
The females have a natural instinct to kill the leader so they can bring in a younger lion to increase their chances of producing offspring.
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The fire extinguisher startles the female lions who become confused and back away from the male
Abi Tudge, 23, and her friend Jaz Reynolds, who had arranged the trip as a treat for two children they were caring for, watched in shock as the big cats bounded towards their Hyundai.
The women claim they were trapped in the enclosure for nearly an hour after rangers closed the gates to deal with the 'agitated' and 'aggravated' animals.
Heart-stopping footage shot by Miss Reynolds, 28, showed them leap on top of the bonnet and roof leaving behind a huge paw print-shaped dent.
Charging lions race towards woman's car before jumping on roof
Miss Tudge, from Hereford, said they were left feeling shaken and feared the car's windows could have been smashed by the animals during their visit on Wednesday to the popular attraction in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
West Midlands Safari Park confirmed the exit of its drive-through lion enclosure had been kept closed 'temporarily' because of the animals' proximity to the gate but stressed no-one had been in any danger.
A spokesman added: 'The male lions have been in the process of being mixed with the females for a few months now.
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Abi, of Hereford, said they were left feeling shaken and feared the car's windows could have been smashed by the animals, which can weigh up to 30 stone
'This has been going well and there was no reason to believe that there would be any issues yesterday as a result of mixing. As with all wild animals, normally harmonious groups can on occasion become particularly active.
'This is constantly monitored closely by trained staff who are always in the enclosure when guests are too and will intervene if necessary.
'There was an experienced member of staff within the enclosure and at no time were guests in any danger.'
Pride of nine lionesses attack lion in front of shocked safari park visitors in West Midlands | Daily Mail Online
- Nine lionesses launch vicious attack on male leader at West Midlands Safari Park
- They sank their teeth into him and tore at his flesh in bid to kill-off leader of pride
- Female lions in the wild kill their male leaders when they've become too old
PUBLISHED: 04:35 EDT, 6 September 2018 | UPDATED: 11:26 EDT, 6 September 2018
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1.1k
View comments
A gang of lionesses have been filmed launching a vicious attack on a male after deciding they wanted to kill off the leader of the pride.
Terrifying footage showed the females sinking their teeth into his flesh and tearing at his fur after pouncing on him at West Midlands Safari Park.
Safari workers had to step in and spray fire extinguishers at the beasts to break up the ferocious attack after the male was left bloodied and battered.
ExpandClose
+9
A gang of lionesses launched a ferocious attack on a male at West Midlands Safari Park. The male is seen letting out a painful roar
+9
+9
About nine females sink their teeth into his skull and tear at his fur after pouncing on him
Lionesses - the real rulers of the pride
Lionesses sometimes kill of their male leader when when he's no longer in his prime years so they can bring in a younger male to breed with.
Lions live in a pride made up of related females who remain members of a pride long-term, whereas the male leader is interchangeable.
Male lions become a member of the pride only if the females accept him.
As a result, the life of a male lion is much more socially precarious than that of the females.
The lion has to win the grace of the females to become their pride male and usually will only be able to remain the pride male for three to five years.
The natural instinct for lionesses is to take out the male leader when he's no longer in his prime years - five to ten years old.
The females have a natural instinct to kill the leader so they can bring in a younger lion to increase their chances of producing offspring.
Previous
Share
+9
The fire extinguisher startles the female lions who become confused and back away from the male
Abi Tudge, 23, and her friend Jaz Reynolds, who had arranged the trip as a treat for two children they were caring for, watched in shock as the big cats bounded towards their Hyundai.
The women claim they were trapped in the enclosure for nearly an hour after rangers closed the gates to deal with the 'agitated' and 'aggravated' animals.
Heart-stopping footage shot by Miss Reynolds, 28, showed them leap on top of the bonnet and roof leaving behind a huge paw print-shaped dent.
Charging lions race towards woman's car before jumping on roof
Miss Tudge, from Hereford, said they were left feeling shaken and feared the car's windows could have been smashed by the animals during their visit on Wednesday to the popular attraction in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
West Midlands Safari Park confirmed the exit of its drive-through lion enclosure had been kept closed 'temporarily' because of the animals' proximity to the gate but stressed no-one had been in any danger.
A spokesman added: 'The male lions have been in the process of being mixed with the females for a few months now.
+9
Abi, of Hereford, said they were left feeling shaken and feared the car's windows could have been smashed by the animals, which can weigh up to 30 stone
'This has been going well and there was no reason to believe that there would be any issues yesterday as a result of mixing. As with all wild animals, normally harmonious groups can on occasion become particularly active.
'This is constantly monitored closely by trained staff who are always in the enclosure when guests are too and will intervene if necessary.
'There was an experienced member of staff within the enclosure and at no time were guests in any danger.'
Pride of nine lionesses attack lion in front of shocked safari park visitors in West Midlands | Daily Mail Online
