A woman was mauled to death by a lion as she made love to her boyfriend in the Zimbabwe bush, news sources reported today.
Sharai Mawera died after the animal pounced while she was enjoying a romantic al fresco moment with her partner.
The My Zimbabwe news website reported that the big cat attacked the couple yesterday at a secluded spot in the bush near the northern town of Kariba.
Mawera's boyfriend, who has not been identified, is believed to have fled the scene naked when the lion attacked.
A source told the website, "Unfortunately the woman was mauled to death by the lion, but her boyfriend managed to escape naked."
A friend of the couple told My Zimbabwe Mawera had worked at the local market and that her partner was a fisherman.
The friend said: "He is a fisherman and he used to often meet at the same spot with his girlfriend, who is now deceased.
"The two were romping when the incident occurred. The lion came from behind and roared.
"The guy managed to escape before stopping at a distance where he witnessed his companion being attacked.
"He later rushed to the road seeking help."
Local police and armed rangers from the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority rushed to the scene, but the woman was already dead.
Rangers launched a hunt for the lion following the tragedy, amid concerns that the same animal may have killed a local man who disappeared at the weekend.
The man's remains were discovered on the outskirts of the town, and police believe that he may have been killed while walking home from a nightclub.
Officials believe that since the woman was mauled rather than eaten, the same lion may be responsible for both attacks.
Lions often go without eating for several days at a time, prompting speculation that the culprit may not have regained its appetite after the first attack.
According to a University of Minnesota study, humans are at the greatest risk of a lion attack after dark, in the ten days following a full moon.
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