Over the weekend, a motorist in South Africa’s Kruger National Park was involved in a troubling incident that has stirred anger.
The driver was caught on camera bumping into a lion with their vehicle, seemingly to move the animal off the road during a traffic jam.
This footage, shared by the wildlife advocacy group Lion Lovers, quickly garnered attention and led to calls for strict action against the driver.
SanParks, the agency responsible for managing Kruger National Park, responded promptly, promising that the situation would be addressed at the highest level.
However, they have not yet released details about the identity of the motorist or the disciplinary measures taken.
The incident occurred during a typical “lion jam,” where traffic slows or stops as tourists pause to admire the lions.
Such encounters are common in the park, where animals are always given the right of way. Motorists are expected to respect the wildlife and avoid any actions that could disturb their natural behavior.
Unfortunately, the motorist’s impatience has led to an incident that many are calling an act of harassment against the lion.
This article by Trinity Sparke was first published by One Green Planet on 15 August 2024. Image Credit :Bertjan/Shutterstock.
What you can do
Help to save wildlife by donating as little as $1 – It only takes a minute.
