First pics of Brit safari park owner in hospital after being brutally savaged by a lion as he walked through its enclosure in South Africa
THIS is the British safari park owner who was savaged by a huge male lion after entering its enclosure in front of horrified onlookers.
Distressing footage shows Mike Hodge being attacked by the big cat on Saturday at the Makarele Predator Centre in Thabazimbi, South Africa.
She said the family are "only too aware of the dangers of working with wildlife but they remain his passion" despite the attack.
The statement added that the family are "devastated" at the death of the animal which has been raised from a cub at the park.
According to their website, Mike and Chrissy started a lion project in Thabazimbi, northern South Africa, in 2003 before opening the Marakele Animal Sanctuary in 2010.
And due to the park's popularity, the couple created the predator centre within the sanctuary featuring at least a dozen big cats, including white lions, cheetahs and two Bengal tigers.
Marakele remains closed following the attack while Chrissy was said to be too upset to comment on the incident.
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