03 January 2023 , 19:52
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A lioness was killed "almost instantly" by a lion at Longleat Safari Park on New Year's Day, it has been confirmed.
Guests said they were diverted away from the enclosure in the early afternoon due to an unknown major incident at the safari park in Wiltshire.
One person held up in the area wrote on social media that they could see a lioness laying still on the floor while injured.
Guests did not appear to be aware that the animal had been killed.
Keepers immediately rushed to the scene but, despite their efforts, the lioness died "almost instantly", said Longleat Safari Park.
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Guests said they were diverted away from the enclosure due to an unknown major incident (file photo) (GOOGLE)Such incidents are very rare but can "naturally occur", it added. There was no risk posed to guests near the enclosure.
A spokesperson told Wiltshire Live: "This weekend [1st January 2023] saw one of the lionesses at Longleat sadly killed by another lion. This kind of incident is very rare but can naturally occur amongst apex predators.
"It happened incredibly quickly, with the lioness dying almost instantly.
"Our professional keepers were immediately on the scene, however the timescales involved meant there was no possibility of intervention. There was no risk to guests."
The incident comes just weeks after two rare red panda cubs at the safari park died when temperatures dropped below freezing.
The tiny animals, born in the summer, were found in their nesting box and staff at the park said initial investigations indicated they had died from hypothermia and weaning problems.
It comes just weeks after two rare red panda cubs at the safari park died when temperatures dropped below freezing (Longleat)Named Tala and Sumi, the young cubs were born to Emma and Lionel as part of a breeding programme for endangered species at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire.
Devastated staff at the attraction made an announcement on social media at the time, which read: "We know so many of you have loved seeing these beautiful creatures for yourselves and will share our sadness in having to say goodbye to them.
"Thank you for your understanding at this time, especially for our keepers who formed such a special bond with them both."
Keepers at the safari park had provided additional shelter, bedding and food but the cubs were still dependent on their mum.
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It was thought that their mother Emma had stopped offering supportive feeds and this is the most likely reason for the cubs' demise, coupled with the sub-zero temperatures.