walking safari lion attack

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How to Survive a Lion Attack

Last Updated: January 25, 2024 Fact Checked

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 49 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 571,622 times. Learn more...

Safaris through wildlife reserves are a thrill ride. Now, the popularity of walking safaris is growing, and these are more thrilling than ever before. Along with the thrill comes a heightened amount of danger. While most lions flee from people, even while you're on foot, an attack is always a possibility. Knowing how to react ahead of time could save your life. [1] X Research source

Standing Your Ground

• Lion behaviors differ from region to region. The biggest tourist attractions have lions that are more habituated to vehicles and therefore less afraid of humans. However, many lions with early encounters of humans will perform mock charges. Making yourself appear threatening will make them turn away.

• Avoid retreating to a thicket (such as a forest). Instead, retreat to an open area.

Fighting the Attack

Avoiding an Attack

Expert Q&A

Tips from our readers.

• Use your forearm and jam it as far as you can down the lion's mouth to prevent them from biting down with full force. Use this moment to go for the lion's eyes. Once they're hurt, the lion may back off.
• Try to show the lion that you aren't a threat. Stand with your side facing the lion and avoid eye contact. Look at the lion's feet because they can indicate what the lion will do next.
• Lions might be able to climb trees, so if you encounter one, try not to climb up a tree to escape.
• Do not play dead! If you do, you will actually end up dead. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 0
• Do not kill, hunt or shoot a lion. Lions are a threatened species. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1

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• ↑ https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/facts-about-lions/
• ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6JpcBF_zBY
• ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-happens-to-your-body-during-the-fight-or-flight-response/
• ↑ https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-should-i-do-if-i-am-attacked-by-a-lion.htm
• ↑ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0022285

About This Article

To survive a lion attack, stand your ground while waving your hands and shouting to make you appear more threatening. Next, back away slowly as you continue to flail your arms and shout so that the lion doesn’t sense your fear. Additionally, try to retreat to an open area instead of a thicket or forest where the lion could follow you. If that doesn’t work and the lion charges, attempt to remain standing so you can fight back. Then, aim punches or kicks at the lion’s head or eyes to turn the lion off and scare it away. For tips on how to stay calm when you encounter a lion, keep reading. Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Walking safari guide is killed by lion while protecting tourists

Post date: Aug 28 2015

Date: Aug 28 2015

By: Farai Mutsaka

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A guide mauled to death by a lion, put himself between tourists and the charging animal, during an attack in the same park where Cecil the lion once roamed, a Zimbabwean tour group said.

Quinn Swales was killed as he led a walking tour through Hwange National Park.

“Quinn bore the full brunt of the charge and, unable to fire his rifle due to the speed of the attack, literally stopped the attack of the lion on his group by placing himself directly in harm’s way,” Camp Hwange said on their Facebook page. The tour group revealed more details of the attack in a statement late Tuesday.

“Having been thrown to the ground, bitten in the shoulder and neck Quinn sadly died at the scene, the shouting of his guests driving the lion away from his body and allowing, ultimately unsuccessfully, emergency first aid to be performed,” the statement said.

The 40-year-old guide was “fully qualified and very experienced,” Camp Hwange said. On a guided walking tour on Monday, he followed lion tracks that led to a pride. An adult male rose and began walking toward the group. Swales instructed the tourists to get behind him and stand still, according to the firm.

At first the lion did not charge. As it came closer, Swales and the tourists shouted to intimidate it. The lion seemed to return to its pride, but suddenly charged toward the group, attacking Swales, the tour group said.

Hwange park was once home to Cecil, a lion controversially killed by an American trophy hunter in July, sparking international outrage.

Like Cecil, the attacking lion named Nxaha, wears a satellite collar installed by wildlife researchers.

Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority will decide the lion’s future after an investigation.

The attack has not affected the popularity of walking tours through Zimbabwe’s wildlife parks, a safari operator said.

“It’s a safe experience and a great experience too. It’s not as if these attacks happen daily,” said Trevor Lane, a member of the Safari Operators Association of Zimbabwe. “It was an accident and we are still recording huge interest from tourists. It’s popular and will remain so.”

But tourists must be warned of the potential risks of guided walks, said police spokeswoman Charity Charamba.

“Tracking these animals on foot on their habitat may seem fun but it is dangerous, very dangerous,” she said, adding that villagers living near parks were also attacked by wild animals.

“People should never forget that these are wild animals,” she said.

Tags: Wired

Farai Mutsaka

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Safari park worker mauled by lion relives moment big cat tore through her leg ‘like butter’

Laura fagen suffered 10 flesh wounds on her legs and feet as a result of the attack in south africa, article bookmarked.

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A safari park worker mauled by a lion has spoken of the moment the animal tore through her leg “like butter”.

Lauren Fagen, then 18, was cleaning out the cages of two lions at the Moholoholo rehab centre, South Africa in 2013 when they attacked her and one of them bit her leg .

Duma the lion reached through the bars of his cage and dragged Ms Fagen’s legs through an open gap.

Ms Fagen, who is from Quebec, Canada, was saved by fellow volunteer and British vet Natalie Bennett, who tried to fight off the lions with a broom.

In a new book called Bite Club , Ms Fagen told author Dougie Wight: “Duma stuck his entire leg through the bars, nearly the full length of it because of how far I was away.”

• Teenage girl hospitalised after being mauled while trying to kiss a lion through bars of cage
• Zookeeper critical after being attacked by two lions
• Lion attack: British man mauled by big cat he had raised since a cub, before animal put down

“Before I could react he got me with the tip of his nail into the middle of my right calf,” she continued.

“It was like butter, it went right in. I felt a thud - he had pulled me on to my back, I hit the ground and was looking up at the ceiling..

“He sliced open my leg. It looked like what you would see at the butcher, like something from a dead cow that would hang from the ceiling. I thought, That can’t be my leg because that’s not what … wait, it is my leg.

Ms Fagen started to scream for help and kicked with her other leg but the lion immediately pulled it through the bars up to the groin.

Duma’s female mate Tree then joined in the attack, gnawing at Ms Fagen’s feet.

The park worker suffered 10 flesh wounds on her legs and feet as a result of the attack.

She described how her left kneecap “nearly came completely off and was hanging by a piece of skin”.

Looking back at the attack 10 years on, the now 28 year-old said that while she suffered muscle and nerve damage “it could’ve been a lot worse.”

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Home » Fatal Lion Attack on Tour Guide in “Cecil’s” Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe

Fatal Lion Attack on Tour Guide in “Cecil’s” Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe

Less than a week ago, safari company Camp Hwange was celebrating the “cat bonanza” they had been enjoying lately. Sadly this turned to tragedy yesterday morning when one of their professional guides was mauled to death by a male lion while out on a walking safari. The attack took place at Hwange Park in northwestern […]

Less than a week ago, safari company Camp Hwange was celebrating the “cat bonanza” they had been enjoying lately. Sadly this turned to tragedy yesterday morning when one of their professional guides was mauled to death by a male lion while out on a walking safari.

The attack took place at Hwange Park in northwestern Zimbabwe which recently made world news after one of its lions, known by the name of Cecil, was lured out of the Park and killed by an American hunter .

Yesterday Camp Hwange confirmed the death of Quinn Swales with “deep regret and great sadness”.

This evening the following statement was published on the Camp’s facebook page with further details:

“While leading a bush walk with guests of Camp Hwange on the morning of 24 August 2015, Quinn Swales (40), a fully qualified and very experienced Zimbabwean Professional Guide, was tragically and fatally mauled by an adult male lion.

“Quinn and his group of six clients had come across the tracks of a pride of lions while walking down the edge of an open savannah “vlei line” and soon thereafter came across the pride lying down some distance from them.

“At this point the adult male rose and began walking purposefully towards the group. As he had done numerous times in his career, Quinn immediately briefed his guests on what to expect and instructed them to get behind him and not move.

“At this stage the lion did not charge the group, but unusually kept walking purposefully towards them. Once it had breached a certain point, both Quinn and his party of guests began shouting at the lion in an attempt to intimidate it.

“This had the desired affect and the lion stopped to watch them, allowing Quinn the opportunity to set off a “bear banger” (very loud fire bang) to further dissuade it. This caused the lion to move off obliquely, away from the group, in a manner which suggested it would return to the pride, but it suddenly turned and instantaneously charged and attacked Quinn who had continued to place himself between his guests and the animal.

[quote_center]”He paid the ultimate price in pursuit of a job he loved…”[/quote_center]

“Quinn bore the full brunt of the charge and, unable to fire his rifle due to the speed of the attack, literally stopped the attack of the lion on his group by placing himself directly in harm’s way.

“Having been thrown to the ground, bitten in the shoulder and neck Quinn sadly died at the scene, the shouting of his guests driving the lion away from his body and allowing, ultimately unsuccessfully, emergency first aid to be performed.

“Using the handheld radio, the guests – themselves unhurt and now out of danger – then called camp for assistance.

“David Carson, General Manager of Camp Hwange, himself a Professional Guide with more than twenty five years’ experience, paid tribute to Quinn: ‘Only praise and admiration can be given to Quinn in the professional way he unflinchingly faced the charging lion, thus ensuring that he protected the clients all of whom were unharmed in any way. He paid the ultimate price in pursuit of a job he loved, in an area he knew so well. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, colleagues and friends at this sad time. It would be appreciated if the family be given the privacy to mourn the loss of a fine man.'”

The Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority also issued a statement confirming the incident, and pointed out that Quinn was a Professional Guide and not a Professional Hunter.

The Parks statement says that “one of the lions known as Nxaha was collared” (similarly to Cecil) and that “Nxaha jumped out at Quinn. All efforts to save Quinn were in vain. The matter was immediately reported to the police who are carrying out investigations.”

[quote_center]”…man was trampled to death by an elephant in Victoria Falls…”[/quote_center]

The Parks also revealed in the same statement that as 32-year-old man was trampled to death by an elephant in Victoria Falls – “The deceased it is reported had gone to polish his curios for sale to tourists with his friend. Upon returning they came across a female elephant with a calf. It is reported that the elephant charged at them and the two tried to escape unfortunately one was attacked and killed. The surviving friend reported the incident to the police who together with Zimparks rangers went to try and locate him. They later found his body which they later took to Victoria Falls Hospital.”

Camp Hwange stressed that Zimbabwe is world-renowned for the quality of their Professional Guides and the comprehensive and exhaustive process of qualification.

Our deepest sympathies to the friends, family and colleagues of both men.

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Yes, Lions Will Hunt Humans if Given the Chance

The tragic attack at a South AFrican park serves as a reminder that lions are predators and humans are prey

Helen Thompson

Earlier this week, a female African lion  attacked and killed a 29-year-old American woman on safari outside Johannesburg, South Africa. It's a tragedy, but given what zoologists know about lions, not one that's totally unexpected.

While visiting a lion reserve on a car tour, the woman rolled her window down to take some pictures, according to Brent Swails and Dana Ford of CNN . She likely did not see the lioness approach. The animal stopped three feet from the vehicle before lunging through the window. A guide, who was also in the car, tried to fight the animal off, sustaining injuries to his arm. Staff chased the lioness away, and the woman died at the scene. Signs in the park warn visitor to keep their windows rolled up, and the part has had previous incidents stemming from open windows.

While the facts of the attack are horrible, the lioness didn't do anything that's inconsistent with her biology, as Mary Bates explains for National Geographic . Lions are extremely accomplished predators and adept hunters. For them, humans count as prey. Ignoring their prowess in this department is a big mistake. Luke Dollar , a conservation scientist who directs the National Geographic Society's Big Cats Initiative, told Bates. "Almost any organism around lions might be a potential prey item, and for people to think that they are an exception is folly" Dollar said.  "I would imagine that every other primate that co-exists with big cats is acutely aware of the position they hold relative to the top predators of the world."

Given the intersection of tourism and conservation at sites like the lion park, humans sometimes acquire a false sense of security. As society expands to less developed areas, humans, lions and other predators have also inevitably crossed paths more frequently.

Since not all attacks are reported, it's hard to put numbers on the number of lion attacks seen globally. Estimates range from 20 to 250 . Tanzania has the highest population of lions in Africa, and between 1990 and 2004 , the country saw 593 deaths and 308 injuries from African lion attacks.

Aside from lack of awareness on the part of the human, there are a few things that might drive a lion to attack a human. The first and most obvious is hunger. Without horns or fangs, humans also look like easier targets to older or sick lions. In certain instances, females might perceive humans as a threat to their cubs. If the animal is injured, it also might feel threatened by the presence of a human.

Though an investigation of the attack continues, park officials told SABC News that they do not plan to execute the lioness involved in this week's attack. Instead, she will be moved to a private part of the park.

Dollar told Bates he hopes that the attack can at least raise awareness among tourists and encourage people to be careful while out observing the impressive predators in the wild.

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Helen Thompson | | READ MORE

Helen Thompson writes about science and culture for Smithsonian . She's previously written for NPR, National Geographic News , Nature and others.

A lion walks on the private Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve in South Africa, where a woman was killed this week.

Fatal Lion Mauling Highlights Controversy of Private Reserves

After a young woman was killed in South Africa, experts debate the safety of "lion walks" and other practices on private game reserves.

The killing of a young woman by a lion at a private game reserve in South Africa has stirred debate among the conservation community about the rules governing such enterprises and the role of such experiences in saving the species.

On Tuesday, a 22-year-old, unnamed woman was mauled to death while visiting a popular private wildlife sanctuary run by Kevin Richardson, the well-known “Lion Whisperer,” near Pretoria. Richardson and the sanctuary could not be reached for comment at the time of this publication, but Richardson wrote on his Facebook page that “I am devastated, and my heart goes out to this young woman’s family.”

Richardson wrote that the woman had not been staying at his sanctuary but had been on the grounds to accompany a friend who was conducting an interview with the manager of the sanctuary’s associated Dinokeng Big 5 Game Reserve, a tented camp that is popular with tourists. After finishing the interview, the woman began taking photos with her friend.

At the same time, “myself and an experienced colleague took three lions walking in the reserve, as we do on a weekly basis, as part of their exercise and stimulation regiment,” Richardson wrote on Facebook. “We assessed the landscape for other big 5 animals and as per procedure sent out a notification that we were walking in the reserve. One of the lionesses charged off after an impala and must have run 2 to 2.5 kilometers [1.2 to 1.5 miles] where she encountered the 22-year-old outside the car.”

Martha Honey, the executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel —a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that advocates responsible tourism—says people shouldn’t blame the lion for doing what big predators do. “We have to remember that wild animals remain wild, even if they are in cages—even if the cages are large, cordoned-off areas,” says Honey. “Human beings set up that situation.”

It’s currently unclear what happened to the lion after the attack. Honey says in many cases the big cat would be shot.

For Hungry Minds

“That’s not right,” she says. “Human beings put the lion within this cage, even though it’s a rather large cage, and subjected it to other human beings, so we have a responsibility to recognize its continued wildness and not blame the animal.” ( Learn about a death at an animal park in China .)

Are Lion Walks a Good Idea?

National Geographic explorer and big cat conservationist Luke Dollar says people in lion or other big predator territory must always remain alert and “acutely aware of our place in the food chain.” Where possible, stay in a vehicle, he says, which offers much better protection and more options for escape. And work with experienced guides who know animal behavior and the local area well, adds Dollar, who is also a professor in the Department of Environment and Sustainability at Catawba College.

Honey agrees that walking safaris near known predators can be dangerous. If they are pursued they need to be done with expert guides and should be near vehicles. Experiences that expressly bring people and lions together on “walks” are risky because of the unpredictable nature of the wild animals, she says. Although Richardson was not walking the lions in the immediate or known presence of tourists, other private game managers on the continents do offer such close-contact experiences for guests.

“While it may be a thrilling experience for a person to do, and they may think they are helping wildlife by doing so, I don’t see an obvious connection,” Dollar says of such tourist walks. “If we love these cats so much why do we feel the need to touch them or hug them or walk with them, as though that is a natural occurrence?”

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Many people who may participate in lion walks may not realize that if the big cat makes a wrong move, it may be shot by a watchful guard. “If they did know that, would that change their interest?” Dollar asks.

Kevin Richardson, known as the "lion whisperer," ends a two-hour walk with three of his lions in the Dinokeng Game Reserve. This week one of the lions broke away from the group and attacked a woman nearby.

Such close proximity to animals is rarely allowed, at least legally, on national parks around the world. But the rules are often much more blurred on private reserves, where governments often have less legal or practical oversight. On public lands, guides must often follow strict codes that require them to stay on paths, avoid baiting and disrupting wildlife’s natural activities, and keep at safe distances. Sometimes private reserves have their own codes, but they are rarely standard and aren’t always followed, says Honey. ( Learn about the National Geographic Society's Big Cats Initiative .)

Do Private Reserves Help Conservation?

“We need more carefully developed, agreed upon protocols for private reserves that parallel what has been developed for national parks,” says Honey.

In South Africa, there are more game animals on private land (some 20 million) than in public parks (5 to 6 million).

So even bigger picture, people need to look at the overall role of these private reserves in conservation, Honey says. “Is this really helping to protect animals that are endangered?”

Some private reserves are very well managed and support science-based conservation programs, such as captive breeding and reintroduction and public education campaigns. But others were hastily cobbled together, sometimes on marginal lands of little ecological value. Sometimes species that are exotic to a region are brought in to attract tourists, even though staff may be ill-equipped to manage them. Some reserves promote controversial “ canned hunting ,” in which hunters pay for the right to shoot a lion in a closed-off area.

“Behaviors and programs that skirt the reality of our place in the food chain seem to be an accident waiting to happen,” says Dollar.

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Video shows Mike Hodge being dragged away by lion at the Makarele Predator Centre in Thabazimbi, South Africa

SOCIAL media is divided after footage shows a safari park owner being mauled by a lion. The man survived but the lion was put down. WARNING: Disturbing video

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THIS is the British safari park owner who was savaged by a huge male lion after entering its enclosure in front of horrified onlookers.

The Sun reports the distressing footage shows Mike Hodge being attacked by the big cat yesterday at the Makarele Predator Centre in Thabazimbi, South Africa.

* pic.twitter.com/Bax05SpnMQ — Pāʻani (@unclemissouri) April 30, 2018

The British man, who relocated from the UK with his wife Chrissy in 2003, is currently in hospital and is said to have sustained neck and jaw injuries.

Speaking with The Sun , a friend of Mr Hodge’s, who does not wish to be named, said he was rushed to the Mediclinic Hospital 5km away.

His friend revealed that the park owner was investigating a smell in the lion’s enclosure when the predator attacked him.

“Mike and one of his rangers were a little concerned about a smell in a compound that was upsetting one of the lions and had gone in through the gate to see what was causing it,” he said.

“It had put the lion on edge but when Mike went in the lion turned and came for him and he ran but couldn’t get through the gate quick enough and it had him.

“There is no information coming out of the hospital but all I know is that he is alive and his wife and daughter are with him.

“I do not know how badly hurt he is but he is a lovely guy and I wish him all the best.

“He is no fool around lions and knows how to interact with them but clearly something went wrong” she said.

South African police spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe told News24 that Mr Hodge sustained injuries to his neck and jaw but was recuperating.

In the footage, the lion spots Mr Hodge after he enters its enclosure and chases him towards the metal door of the facility.

In astonishing scenes, the elderly park owner is dragged like a rag doll towards some bushes.

Onlookers scream for help while the animal paws Mr Hodge, who does not appear to be moving.

The lion then drags him further into the bushes but then gunshots ring out and the lion is scared away.

But the predator remains near the victim while more shots are fired into the air.

One girl who is watching the attack is heard crying in horror as another man shouts for someone to “get a rifle.”

The animal has reportedly been killed following the attack.

Mr and Mrs Hodge are believed to have started a lion project in Thabazimbi, northern South Africa, which became the Marakele Animal Sanctuary in 2009.

And due to the park’s popularity, the couple created the predator centre within the sanctuary featuring at least a dozen big cats, including white lions, cheetahs and two Bengal tigers.

Marakele remains closed following the attack while Mrs Hodge was said to be too upset to comment on the incident.

Social media users however felt that the lion should not have been put down and questioned why Mr Hodge would be inside the lion’s enclosure when it was that close to him.

It’s a wild animal. Why was he inside there. — Archford Matienga (@archizzlee) May 1, 2018

What was he thinking walking into that cage. I mean really. These animals are not toys 🙈 — Ryan Kankowski (@Kankowski) May 1, 2018

Hey I got an idea, maybe let's not keep wild animals in cages! — Zane (@ZaneMorgan_) May 1, 2018

He shouldn’t have been in there, but he still did not deserve that. People that’s saying that he did is evil af. He made a mistake of getting too comfortable but he DID NOT deserve that. — Hotsauce (@Marchelle_Hoee) May 1, 2018

pic.twitter.com/5oZb851sBr — Earl-San ㊙️ (@GoldBloodedSFG) May 1, 2018

This article originally appeared in The Sun and is republished here with permission

Police believe the body of a car crash victim, who swerved off a road and died, was dragged away by a local bear.

The man became stuck in the mine shaft after he attempted to rescue his puppy who had fallen up to eight metres.

An enormous sea creature measuring 2.7 metres has gone viral online after it washed up on a popular Aussie beach.

Watch CBS News

Lion climbs into safari vehicle in Crimea, shocking tourists inside

By Danielle Garrand

September 5, 2018 / 11:31 PM EDT / CBS News

People head to safari parks to get up close and personal with animals usually seen only in photos. But, these tourists got a bit too close to a lion when it climbed right into their safari vehicle.

A video released by Taigan Safari Park in Vilnohirsk, Crimea, shows the surprising moment a lion hops into an open-air safari vehicle with tourists.

The footage shows the lion named Filya climbing over people sitting in rows in the car and then licking them, reports APTN. The lion even appeared to attempt to cuddle with the tourists in the vehicle.

Some can be seen taking photos with selfie sticks and laughing, while one woman appeared to be frightened and hops out of the car.

The man in the green shirt driving the vehicle is the park owner, Oleg Zubkov, known as the "lion whisperer," according to the  Daily Mail .

The moment occurred eight weeks after a woman said she was attacked by a different lion named Vitya in the Taigan Safari Park, according to the Daily Mail.  Olga Solomina, said Vitya "bit through my right arm and used it to drag me - it like a puppet."

The park is famous for offering tourists very close interactions with the giant cats.

Danielle Garrand is a social media producer and trending reporter for CBS News.

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Tips on how to stay safe

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Every safari has an element of danger; that's what makes it exciting. While many of the animals you'll encounter can be dangerous , the four that you really have to watch out for are—elephant, lion, buffalo , and hippo (add crocodiles to that list if you're near water).

Most safari operators and guides at the various lodges and game reserves will stress basic precautions you need to take while game viewing. It will also help if you follow basic safari etiquette. If you are on safari in smaller, more remote game parks or encounter wildlife outside of game parks, here are some general rules to follow:

If You Are in a Vehicle

• Always stay in your car. When driving in a game park remain in your vehicle. Only get out at designated "hides" and follow the rules that will be posted. There have been several fatalities that occurred because a hapless tourist has wandered out of their vehicle, camera in hand, to get a closer shot of an elephant or lion. It may sound silly, but it happens.
• Don't stand up or stick anything out of the car . Many safari vehicles are open-topped, and the wildlife is generally accustomed to these. But, if you stand up or wave something around on the side, some animals will get annoyed and consequently aggressive. You also have to remember that poaching is rife in many areas, and anything that looks like a gun can trigger a very nasty response from a wild animal.
• Drive slowly and carefully . During the wet season, the grass can get quite high, and it's not always possible to tell when a large buffalo or elephant will decide to step into the middle of the road. Remember, you have to stop if this happens. Buffalos and elephants are not in the least bit afraid or impressed by you or your car.
• Keep your windows up . If you are in a car with windows, it's better to keep them closed. You could end up being harassed by baboons as you drive through the more popular game parks. They are so habituated to cars they are not afraid to leap upon them and dent the roof. You don't want one inside your vehicle.

If You Are on Foot

If you are on a walking safari, you will no doubt be briefed on safety by your guides. But, there are times when you'll be walking in Africa and encounter wildlife without a guide. You could run into elephants even in the middle of town. Baboons are also a menace in many places and a lot larger than you think. Here are some basic tips if you encounter wildlife eye to eye:

• Try and stay downwind from the animal . If the animal catches your scent, it will know you are there, and you have no idea whether this will make it angry or afraid.
• If an animal you approach looks hostile, make sure you are not in the way of its escape route . Give the animal a clear birth and don't make any noise to aggravate the situation further.
• Walk away slowly . If you encounter an animal that doesn't like your presence move back slowly and quietly.
• Avoid swimming in rivers or lakes unless you are absolutely sure there are no hippos or crocodiles. Hippos are the most dangerous of all the big animals. They feed on the banks of the river, and if they sense danger will charge and attack whatever lies in their path in order to get back to the safety of the water.
• If you are camping out in the open, always make sure you have something covering you even if it's just a mosquito net. Hyenas like to check out camps for leftover food and are especially attracted to protruding objects, so keep your feet and nose inside that tent or net.
• Always wear boots and socks when walking around the bush . There are plenty of venomous snakes and scorpions around that could bite you.
• Don't walk around at night in areas where you know there is wildlife present that can be potentially harmful to you. That includes the beaches and around lakes where hippos graze between tents on a camping safari. Also, be careful in towns. Hyenas wander around freely in the capital city of Lilongwe in Malawi, so always be cautious.

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Lions pass within feet of safari tourists – why don’t they attack, share this article.

Safari tourists recently observed a pride of lions strolling just yards past their open-topped vehicle, and footage of the encounter begs the question:

Why don’t lions attack people who are so close and exposed when they would almost certainly become confrontational if the same people were to exit the vehicle?

The footage was captured by Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge in South Africa. Note the reaction of Moses, sitting closest to the lions, after being cautioned that the lions were approaching.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chitwa Chitwa Private Game Lodge (@chitwachitwa)

While Moses appears nervous, he intentionally avoids direct eye contact with the lions to lessen the chance of an adverse reaction.

“A captivating moment as the Nkuhuma pride gracefully strolled past Deon, Moses, and our guests in perfect visibility,” Chitwa Chita stated via social media. “Witnessing the Nkuhuma pride so often has been the greatest pleasure!”

The obvious question was posed by Facebook follower Jason Mwanza: “Admin, why is it lions don’t attack tourist in open vehicles?”

Chitwa Chitwa offered the following response:

Lions generally do not attack tourists in open vehicles due to a few reasons:

1) Lack of Provocation: Lions typically do not see tourists in vehicles as prey or a threat unless provoked.

2) Unfamiliarity: Lions may not recognize the vehicles as prey due to their unfamiliarity with them.

3) Heightened Senses: Lions rely heavily on their senses, and the sights, sounds, and smells of the vehicles may confuse or deter them from attacking.

4) Association with Harmlessness: Lions may have learned through experience that vehicles do not pose a threat to them and are harmless.

5) Respect for Size and Noise: The size and noise of the vehicles may intimidate the lions, deterring them from attacking.

6) Conservation Regulations: In many wildlife reserves, rules and regulations are in place to ensure the safety of both tourists and animals, and vehicles are required to maintain a safe distance from the wildlife.

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African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada?

Accreditation group caza reviewing standard ok'ing rides, 10 years after deemed too dangerous in u.s..

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Maggie stood nearly three metres tall and weighed more than 3,900 kilograms.

Born in Burma, the Asian elephant was ridden for 25 years by visitors to African Lion Safari, a zoo and theme park in Flamborough, Ont., in rural Hamilton.

But on June 21, 2019, Maggie lunged at her handler as the last rider was dismounting.

Now, CBC News has obtained an Ontario Ministry of Labour report that sheds light on what exactly happened during the last-ever elephant ride at African Lion Safari.

Activists and zoo accreditation bodies believe African Lion Safari was the only site in Canada offering elephant rides. The ministry investigation raises questions about why such rides are still permitted by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), even though they've been banned for a decade by the leading U.S. zoo accreditation association. 

According to the 117-page report, which is heavily redacted in sections, Maggie "became aggressive and began attack ... by using her trunk [to] repetitively hit, spin and push the handler against the wooden railings of the platform stairway behind him." 

A ministry inspector found that as the handler fell to the ground, Maggie pushed him into a corner. He crawled under the massive animal, clambering to safety. But he was left seriously injured, with his head bleeding. 

• Trainer seriously injured after elephant attack at Ontario's African Lion Safari
• Elephant that attacked trainer still with herd at African Lion Safari

CAZA, a private charitable organization that accredits and represents zoological parks and aquariums, is reviewing its policy on elephant rides, according to its executive director.

African Lion Safari refused CBC's request for an interview, but said in a statement the zoo permanently stopped elephant rides in 2019.

"African Lion Safari has always been and remains in full compliance of all CAZA standards that govern our park," African Lion Safari stated. "The health and safety of all visitors, staff and animals is our top priority."

Ending elephant rides was welcomed by World Animal Protection, which had been calling for their halt. But Canadian campaign director Melissa Matlow wonders why it took a "tragedy" to make the change.

"Had a decision been made to end elephant rides and shows long before, this [2019] incident could have been prevented."

Regulations a provincial patchwork

Animal welfare rules vary across Canada, with a patchwork of provincial regulations.

The Ministry of the Solicitor General inspects most zoos and aquariums in Ontario, but says African Lion Safari falls under the Animals for Research Act (ARA), which is overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

Under the act, inspectors ensure animal care, welfare and handling standards are met, but "the ARA does not prescribe or regulate the kinds of interactions people can have with animals," spokesperson Christa Roettele said in an email.

Instead, zoos turn to CAZA for those standards, which have long allowed elephant rides. African Lion Safari was a founding member  and displays the CAZA logo on its website.

The charity represents 28 facilities across Canada, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which is involved when animals are transported to the country, recognizes its policies, according to CAZA executive director Jim Facette.

CAZA's standards are also recognized by British Columbia and Saskatchewan, but not Ontario, he said.

Despite the ministry's findings, Facette disagreed with its characterization of the incident. 

"My understanding is that it was an accident, that it was not an attack."

CAZA's policy for using animals in educational programming  says members should strive to treat animals with dignity and in a way that shows their "natural intellect ... and physical attributes, while operating in a way that's safe for the animal, visitors and handlers."

But it also lists animal rides as "appropriate educational programming."

U.S. group says elephant rides dangerous

CAZA's American counterpart, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), hasn't allowed any of its 241 accredited facilities to offer elephant rides since 2011.

Six of those sites are in Canada, including the Calgary Zoo, Toronto Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium.

"It was dangerous," said AZA CEO Dan Ashe of the rides. "We had significant record of injury, and in some cases death, associated with elephants, and so the principal concern was with the safety of elephant care professionals." 

Instead, the AZA calls for protected contact — there must be a barrier between guests and elephants at all times. Even trained handlers can only be in the same space as an elephant in specific circumstances.

"Elephant rides and things like that are an artifact of the past," said Ashe.

WATCH | The AZA explain why it banned elephant rides among its members:

Why AZA calls elephant rides an 'artifact of the past'

Zoos should not be "presenting [animals] as some kind of entertainment that should be performing for us," added Ashe.

Asked why CAZA continues to permit elephant rides, Facette said that when AZA made its decision a decade ago, "circumstances at the time were probably different here in Canada."

African Lion Safari has a "high degree of expertise" around elephants, he said.

"There was a period of time where it was felt what's being done is fine, there is not a lot of incidents, not a lot of facilities that have these kinds of situations," said Facette. "Then an accident did happen and we recognize that."

Handler crushed, died in 1989

Maggie is not the first elephant involved in an attack at African Lion Safari.

A handler named Omer (also referred to as Omar) Norton was crushed and died in November 1989 when Tusko, an 18-year-old bull elephant, used his head to pin the man to the ground. At the time, media reports said Norton was trying to break up a fight between two elephants.

Tusko had a history of aggression toward animals, but not people, then co-owner Don Dailley told reporters.

"It's been known to happen," he was quoted as saying in a Nov. 14, 1989, newspaper report. "Elephants have also been known to swing their trunks and to gore people. They are potentially very dangerous animals."

Maggie is described in the ministry investigation as "old" and in her early 50s. She was transferred to African Lion Safari from Florida in May 1990.

A medical profile in the report calls her "overall physically healthy" for her age. An assessment after the incident appeared "completely normal."

The rides were an opportunity for guests to "get up close" with elephants, the ministry inspector said.

Five days a week, the elephant, carrying a visitor, would plod around a fenced-in track with a handler walking alongside.

Beneath the platform used to board the elephant was a shack storing saddles and tools. Next to the stairs was a nook where staff could feed elephants hay to keep them still.

That nook is where the handler became trapped when the incident involving Maggie occurred.

The report says the elephant lunged at the handler when his back was turned. The animal pivoted nearly 90 degrees, blocked him in and beat him with her trunk.

"Maggie reportedly also used her head, butting him in the chest and pushing his head into her mouth," it reads.

Photos taken by the inspector show at least two pieces of a wooden railing snapped in half during the attack. A spray of dried blood can be seen in another picture.

According to the investigation, a visitor reportedly still had one foot on Maggie's back when she became aggressive.

Roughly 30 people were waiting in line and ran for safety, it says.

Two other animal handlers heard "wood snapping [and] a mixture of people screaming" before seeing Maggie's handler bleeding, the inspector stated. The park's superintendent of elephants was able to get her under control, it adds.

A spokesperson for air ambulance service Ornge told CBC in 2019 that a helicopter transported a man in his 30s to Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries.

In a Facebook post shared after the attack, African Lion Safari described the employee's injuries as non-life-threatening and said Maggie was still part of its herd .

Contacted recently by CBC, African Lion Safari said it could not share any updated information about the handler's condition, citing privacy reasons.

The zoo also did not respond to questions about Maggie and whether she's still living there.

Along with examining the elephant's health, the layout of the track and the weather, the ministry looked into two other factors that could have led to the 2019 incident:

• A mysterious condition called musth (a state of "drunkenness, hilarity, ecstasy, desire or lust," the report says, noting it's a condition unique to male elephants).
• Revenge for mistreatment.

But the veterinarian who cared for the elephants at African Lion Safari said George, the other elephant used for rides, had never shown signs of coming into "musth," states the report.

The inspector also discussed whether there was a connection between the attack and the way the elephant was trained, as well as the animal-handler relationship.

Much of that section of the report deals with controversial tools called guides or bullhooks — metal poles with a tapered hook at the end.

The zoo confirmed its handlers sometimes use guides to cue an elephant on the direction it should move, but they're used "without exerting force," general manager Trish Gerth said.

The park said a guide wasn't used prior to or during the incident involving Maggie.

The park's veterinarian told the ministry he had not seen "any signs ... of aggression" from handlers to elephants.The inspector added he was told training with Maggie was done with as "little negativity as possible."

Two years ago, the AZA adopted a policy barring bullhooks from routine training. "It has a brutal history," said Ashe.

They're instead used for emergencies only.

CAZA reviewing ride policy

Based on the investigation, no prosecution was recommend following the 2019 attack because of a "lack of obvious contraventions ... directly leading to the incident."

The inspector said ways to better protect handlers during rides were assessed, but "limited viable solutions [were] identified." 

The report says African Lion Safari voluntarily suspended elephant rides right after the incident.

African Lion Safari prides itself on its conservation and breeding program . Gerth said the zoo's mission is to provide the "highest standard of care" for its Asian elephants.

"Our hope is to inspire our visitors to protect and preserve biodiversity and endangered species," she wrote.

Facette said the zoo provided CAZA with a review of the attack, including changes to prevent similar incidents.

CAZA also completed its own investigation, but Facette said he couldn't share either document, pointing to legal and privacy issues.

The Canadian organization is part of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA), which updated its guidelines for animal-visitor interactions last year, calling for members not to participate in "experiences where animals perform in a manner that does not constitute normal and natural wild-state behaviour." 

"Do not present animals in a way that the visitors could perceive them as exotic pets or 'performers,'" the recommendations read .

• 2 Ontario zoos are violating global guidelines for animal safety: advocacy group

Facette said CAZA is reviewing WAZA's changes and its own standards. Its accreditation commission is expected to report back in November.

"I do think in the very near future the board will likely approve a policy that will say elephant rides in Canada do not meet our standard," he said.

Asked whether the current standards failed the handler hurt at African Lion Safari, Facette said he believes they did not.

"I don't think it's fair to say ... that the standards of the time failed anyone."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dan Taekema is CBC’s reporter covering Kingston, Ont. and the surrounding area. He’s worked in newsrooms in Chatham, Windsor, Hamilton, Toronto and Ottawa. You can reach him by emailing [email protected].

• Follow @DanTaekema on Twitter

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Why do Lions Not Attack When You are in a Safari Vehicle?

Author: Adelle Belle - 29 September 2023

Last Update: 6 May 2024

Part of the African Safari Collection

In this insightful article, we’ll delve into the behavioral patterns of lions, especially during safari tours in Africa . We will uncover the science behind why these majestic creatures, known for their predatory instincts, choose not to attack when you are in a vehicle.

From understanding their perception of the vehicle to the role of the safari guidelines, this article presents a comprehensive view that will appeal to both adventure enthusiasts and wildlife lovers.

Let’s explore the key reasons why a lion will avoid attacking an approaching vehicle.

Predator Perception

To understand why a lion avoids attacking a safari vehicle, it’s important to be aware of predator perception, which illustrates a lion’s thought process before attacking.

Lions are natural and instinctive hunters, and because they’ve evolved as predators for thousands of years, they follow their instincts when it comes to the things they see and interact within their environment.

There are two key reasons why lions attack when they do. They either see a specific target as food or a threat. A human on its own may fall into one or both of these categories, which is why lions may very well attack a human out in the open.

However, lion and human interaction becomes very different when a safari vehicle is involved. A human or group of humans can consider vehicles relatively safe from lion attacks because lions understand the size difference between themselves and a vehicle.

Because a vehicle is much larger than a lion, lions do not see the vehicle as a source of food. The safety of the vehicle often prevents lions from viewing the humans inside as food as well.

Safety measures are put in place to ensure responsible tourism practices, and these help keep lions from feeling threatened by approaching vehicles.

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Responsible Tourism

Safari coordinators and staff members understand lion behavior, and as such, they develop safari vehicle safety measures so that attacks are unlikely to occur. For example, vehicles are typically slow-moving, which helps reduce the odds of surprising a lion in the wild.

Furthermore, during trips, passengers are instructed to remain in the vehicle at all times, and the vehicles usually remain on clearly marked trails.

Because coordinators are dedicated to wildlife conservation and practicing responsible tourism, the approach they take with safari vehicles aims to infringe upon lion habitats as little as possible, while still allowing tourists to observe these majestic animals.

In some scenarios, lions may become curious about a safari vehicle and approach it to get a closer look. During these circumstances, tour leaders will instruct passengers to keep their hands and feet inside the vehicle and remain both still and quiet until the lion loses interest.

Lion attacks on safari vehicles are incredibly rare, both due to a lion’s natural instinct to hunt familiar prey and the safety protocols put in place by the coordinators.

If you’d like to embark upon a lion safari , consider exploring with Discover Africa . Visit our website and take a look at our variety of offerings and accommodations to find the sort of adventure that fits your needs.

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