A security guard was trampled to death by an elephant as he kept watch for roaming lions in South Africa.

Eric Kgatla, 45, had been on patrol at Foskor Mine in the town of Phalaborwa, Limpopo province, when he came across the animal in the darkness.

He and his colleagues had been on full alert on Friday evening after a pride of lions was seen roaming near the mine earlier that day.

Mr Kgatla left his guard hut after hearing noises on Friday night. Another security guard found his body at around 4am on Saturday.

Mine spokesperson Frans Mkhondo told News24: “The other security [guard] heard sounds of an elephant, he went out to inspect the sound and upon arrival he found an elephant outside the guard house.”

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“He phoned for help for the other security guard. When security arrived, the elephant had disappeared and they found the deceased dead behind the guard house. He was trampled to death.

“Our premises are adjacent to the Kruger National Park, so animals do break the fence and move into our area.”

The incident came just a day after Limpopo provincial government warned the public and mine workers that 14 lions had escaped Kruger National Park.

However it later revealed the lions were not from the park, and had in fact been living in areas surrounding the mine for some time.

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The government added that the park could not take the animals in because they could clash with existing prides in established territories.

The department for economic development, environment and tourism confirmed the lions had been returned to their usual pride location on Saturday evening.

News of the lions’ escape came just days after a leopard at the park killed a toddler.

The big cat had entered the living quarters at Malelane Technical Service and killed the 30-month-old boy, who was the son of staff a member.

He was rushed to Shongwe hospital by relatives but died from his injuries.

The leopard was later found and shot dead.

The park said in a statement at the time: “In parks like the KNP predators do interact with tourists and staff and at times it may result in species like leopard getting habituated to people and losing their fear. The change in natural behaviour can then lead to unfortunate incidents such as this.