Lion tears out lionesses throat in front of horrified Belgian zoo staff as the animals are introduced for breeding program

During their first introduction to a zoo breeding program on Thursday, a lion ripped out a lioness’s throat in front of horrified staff as they were forced to watch.

The big male cat Nestor and female Maya had gotten used to each other’s scents behind bars in the Belgian Bellewaerde Park.

Nestor, also known as the ‘Lion King’, had recently moved from Antwerp Zoo to Ypres in West Flanders as part of a breeding program for endangered species.

The 12-year-old predator was originally intended to mate with two Czech lionesses, sisters Maya (two) and Numa (one).

The three wild animals were given a few days to adjust to each other’s presence behind a barrier, and zookeepers reportedly saw no signs of aggression between the lions.

Maya and Nestor were part of a breeding program for endangered species

The staff then decided on Thursday that it was time to let Nastor and Maya out together with no bars between the two.

According to the zoo, things went smoothly when the two cats first came face to face.

But this soon changed when the lions began to show signs of aggression.

“They started fighting and Nestor bit Maya in the neck,” spokesman Filip Van Dorpe told local media.

The zookeepers tried to save the injured lioness, but it was too late.

“A distress signal that Nestor by returning to his residence could no longer help,” he added.

Van Dorpe expressed his disappointment at the incident, calling it ‘very unfortunate’.

‘They remain wild animals, of course that also happens in nature.

‘We deeply regret this, everyone in Bellewaerde is devastated. We went from pride to sadness in one day’.

Having only said goodbye to Nestor a few weeks ago, zookeepers at Antwerp Zoo still have fond memories of the lion, reported VRT News.

Zoo spokeswoman Ilse Segers said the news that Nestor had killed his intended mating partner had been met with sadness and shock.

‘We have all reacted with complete disbelief’.

Nestor was born at the Antwerp Zoo and according to the staff there, he had never shown any signs of aggression.

Segers told VRT News: ‘When he was born he was small on the shy side, but since then he has really opened up.

‘He was always gentle with his cubs and with his former partner Tasa. However, you had to leave him alone while he ate. He didn’t want anyone near him then’.

Local media have reported that there will now be a waiting period before Nestor is introduced to other lionesses.

He will also remain in the enclosure and the breeding program is expected to continue.