Lion Will Live After Fatal Attack. Plus Video Proof to Close Windows & Lock Doors!
The Lion Park has reportedly confirmed tonight that the lion which fatally attacked a female tourist in the South African park today will not be put down. There have been a frenzy of tweets on Twitter since the news broke this afternoon that a 22-year-old American tourist was mauled to death by a lion which bit her through […]
The Lion Park has reportedly confirmed tonight that the lion which fatally attacked a female tourist in the South African park today will not be put down.
There have been a frenzy of tweets on Twitter since the news broke this afternoon that a 22-year-old American tourist was mauled to death by a lion which bit her through an open car window. Her guide, and driver of the vehicle, sustained injuries to his arm while trying to rescue her, and has been hospitalised.
The Park’s Assistant Manager Scott Simpson told the Mail Online in the UK that “the lion approached from the left of the vehicle, the passenger side, and walked quite close to the car. The witnesses said they saw the guests taking pictures of the lion from a metre away, then the lion lunged at the car and bit the lady through the window.”
Many of the tweets called for the lioness, which was immediately moved to a separate enclosure, to be left alone and not be put down because he was “just being a lion”. (And, as has become the norm on Twitter, there were already several tweets making fun of the tragic event with references to xenophobia and American diets.)
The Lion Park has not yet released a statement, but officials have pointed out that the woman did not comply with the park’s strict safety regulations. They say she was seen by witnesses, before the attack, travelling in a vehicle with the windows open.
Simpson told South African media that “we have plenty of signage at the park, indicating that windows should always be closed while driving in the lion park. Brochures are handed out to all of the tourists who visit the park. I really don’t understand why people think it’s okay to leave windows open.”
Paul Tully from Campaign against Canned Hunting (CACH) weighed in to say on Facebook that “seeing people blame the tourist for this drives me insane. If these horrid places didn’t offer this unethical ‘experience’ in the first place it wouldn’t happen!”
The Lion Park website’s home page boasts that “super close-up animal views” are “guaranteed” and says “nowhere can you get closer to a pride of Lions and other animals and still be completely safe.”
Tully wrote on Facebook that “it’s the same with people blaming volunteers for volunteering at lion breeders and petting facilities…it’s not their fault, it’s simply misguided [people] willing to do something good.”
Earlier this year a male tourist from Australia sustained injuries when he was bitten by a lion while driving through the same park. He also had his window down.
South Africa’s legendary Lion Whisperer and Animal Behaviourist, Kevin Richardson, told 702 that “it’s tragic when something like this happens but it does bring to the fore that these are wild and dangerous animals.”
The Lion Park, just outside Johannesburg, is one of Gauteng’s top attractions for international tourists (including celebrities like John Legend), and as recently as 20 May it became a TripAdvisor® Hall of Fame winner after being awarded its fifth consecutive TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.
UPDATE: The victim has been identified as 29-year-old Katherine Chappell, an American visual effects editor who had worked on popular TV series ‘Game of Thrones’. She was in South Africa on a holiday and volunteer mission for animal conservation. Latest reports are that she rolled down her window to take photos of the lions moments before being attacked through the open window. Her guide – Pierre Potgieter (66) – says that he warned her against opening her window, and says he suffered a heart attack from stress after trying to rescue her. He has also criticised the response from the Park officials who he alleges were reluctant to give her proper medical care.
For anyone still not convinced of the importance to keep your windows closed and doors locked whilst around wild animals, here’s some video proof:
WATCH VIDEO: A lion opens a car door in early 2014
Watch Video – Lion’s Roar Reminds Tourists to Stay Inside Car
Nadav Ossendryvver, January 2014 – “Two young tourists got a little more than they bargained for when visiting the Kruger National Park in Gauteng, South Africa on January 19, when a lion reminded them who is king of the jungle. Leaning out of their car which was parked close to a lion and lioness, the children eagerly began taking photographs of the pair. However after few seconds, the lion issued a stern roar, sending the kids scrambling back inside the car.”
https://youtu.be/PcQNBvVQTQo
Watch Video – Lions Attack Car Full Of People…uploaded by The Lion Whisperer
Kevin Richardson – “Male Lion, Veyetsi gets a little too curious with the GoPro gang’s car door. It goes to show that lions are powerful and dangerous creatures and should be treated with respect. They drive off to safety but the playful lions give chase, naughty lions!”
A man closes the gate of the lion enclosure after a woman was killed today at the Lionpark #lionattack@GS_Imagespic.twitter.com/JGMX7vqgWf
— Daniel Born (@DanielBorn) June 1, 2015