A North West owner of 10 lions that killed a boy has offered to sell two of the animals to compensate the child's family.

A North West owner of 10 lions that killed a boy has offered to sell two of the animals to compensate the child's family.

North West agriculture, conservation and environment MEC Mandlenkosi Mayisela said Tommy van Vuuren realised money - about R700000 - could not make up for the loss of a life.

"But he has offered to sell the animals and the money accrued would go to the mother."

Tshepo Gaerupe, nine, was killed by the lions at the farm near Vryburg.

The lions apparently grabbed the boy and pulled him into their enclosure after he put his hand through a gap near the entrance gate.

Only a piece of the boy's skull remained after the killing on June 17.

Mayisela said they confiscated the lions on Tuesday because Van Vuuren's licence had expired and the enclosure did not have proper infrastructure.

But the Mmabatho high court on Wednesday ruled that the animals be returned to Van Vuuren after he took the matter to court. - Sapa