Man Almost Has His Arm Ripped Off By A Caged Lion In South Africa [Photos/Video]

A viral video has emerged showing the shocking moment a man is mauled by a lioness after he tried stroking the wild animal in South Africa.

This terrifying video shot in a game reserve shows the man petting the predatory cats, saying “Come here lovely, let daddy stroke you” before she snapped and pounced on his arm.

The man is then almost dragged into the enclosure as the lioness yanks away.

Fortunately for him, she let go before his limb was ripped from its socket — or worse still before he became lunch.

Local newspapers have identified the man as 55-year-old South African Pieter Nortjé.

He was reportedly visiting the Tikwe River Lodge for the weekend his wife, Ilze, to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary.

According to news24, shortly before the lioness approached he had said “come here, lovey, let daddy stroke you”.

When the cat strikes, a woman can be heard off camera screaming “he’s biting him, he’s biting him”.

Mr Nortjé is reportedly in a serious condition and suffering from septic shock.

Watch the video below:

They never learn pic.twitter.com/KDtWPRYrCr

— African (@ali_naka) April 10, 2019