A 22-year old American woman has been killed near Johannesburg after being mauled to death by a lion that leapt through an open car window at a South African wildlife reserve, park officials say.

According to the report, the man who was driving the car was injured in the mauling incident in South Africa while he was trying to fight off the lion. Both tourists were not named. 

"There was a car driving to the lion camp and the lion did come through the window and bite the lady," said  The Lion Park assistant operations manager Scott Simpson.

"We had a gentleman and a lady driving with the windows wide open. The lion came through the passenger side window and attacked her. The man sustained slight injuries trying to fight her off."  Simpson continued.

Scott Simpson would also maintain that the park took immediate action to the incident. "Our staff working at the top of the camp tried to get the lion away from the car. Ambulances were called immediately but it was too late." he reported. 

Visitors to the park are given strict and numerous warnings to not leave their windows open. "We make it so clear. We put signage up everywhere that people must keep their windows closed. We hand them a slip of paper when they enter the park; I really don't understand why people think its OK to leave windows open." Simpson said. 

The Lion Park was opened to the public  by the Chipperfield Circus in 1966. It has always been viewed as a somewhat mix of zoo and game reserve that also features "super close-up animal views guaranteed". Visitors to the park are given the option to ride buses with protective grills and tour guides, or drive their own vehicles through the enclosures where lions are allowed to roam about freely. Patrons could also pet lion cubs in the managed pens. 

The report further states that the female lion has been taken to a separate enclosure while investigations are being held. There are no plans to put the lion down, 

To note, this is the third reported attack at the wildlife reserve in the past four months. An Australian tourist was bitten by a lion in March after leaving his car windows open. He would later post the pictures of the incident on Facebook. A 13-year old boy was also attacked by a cheetah while he was taking his bike across the park.

The park was also recently accused of breeding lions for "canned hunting". The park has refuted this claim.

What do you think of the lion attack in The Lion Park?