A lodge owner has been mauled to death in South Africa by his two lions as his wife watches at their Limpopo lodge on Wednesday.

Arthur “West” Mathewson met his fate during his regular walk at the Lion Tree Game Lodge in Hoedspruit, according to police spokesperson Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.

“It is believed that the two lionesses attacked the deceased during one of their usual walks. The incident allegedly took place while his wife was helplessly watching,” he said.

“The police and emergency services were activated. On arrival, the man was found with multiple injuries. He was declared dead on the scene.”

The lionesses have since been moved to another game lodge in the area.

Provincial police commissioner Lt-Gen Nneke Ledwaba urged members of the public to be careful around these dangerous animals to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Tributes have since been pouring in for Mathewson on social media.

He was a conservationist and against hunting and breeding of the animals, News24 reports.