A 29-year-old American wildlife conversationalist, who has been identified as Katherine Chappell, was fatally attacked by a lion in a South African Safari Park on 1st June 2015. She was taking pictures of the lion through an open window when the lion suddenly jumped on to the car and attacked her through the window killing her. Her sister, Jennifer Chappell confirmed her identity in a moving statement she wrote on Facebook stating:
“We are broken-hearted to share this news with our friends and family: Yesterday morning, while on a volunteer mission to protect wildlife in South Africa, Kate Chappell was involved in a tragic and fatal accident. Katie was a brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited woman. Her energy and passion could not be contained by mere continents or oceans. She was very much loved and shared her love for life with those she met.
“We cannot thank everyone enough for the kind words and support. It means the world to us during this difficult time.”
Katherine Chappell was a film editor who had previously worked on the TV hit series Game of Thrones and was also a wildlife conversationalist having raised money to protect animals in South Africa. Reports state that the lion that attacked Katherine would be taken to an isolated zoo as opposed to gunning it down it as previously stating.
