Lion attacking a safari vehicle.
Jan 15th, 2008, 05:20 AM
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Lion attacking a safari vehicle.
An amazing series of images featuring a lion attacking a safari vehicle in Namibia has been posted on Safaritalk. Real hair raising stuff.
The pictures were submitted by the Predator Conservation Trust and can be seen here:
www.safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1891
Matt
The pictures were submitted by the Predator Conservation Trust and can be seen here:
www.safaritalk.net/index.php?showtopic=1891
Matt
Jan 15th, 2008, 06:30 AM
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Thanks for the post, Matt. I went to Safaritalk for the first time the other day and thought it was a great site.
The post mentions the lion attacking Flip Stander's vehicle earlier. Did anyone else see the Nature documentary about 2 weeks ago about the desert lions, and Flip's work? It was interesting. Our local PBS station just went digital and I got to see it in HD--WOW.
The post mentions the lion attacking Flip Stander's vehicle earlier. Did anyone else see the Nature documentary about 2 weeks ago about the desert lions, and Flip's work? It was interesting. Our local PBS station just went digital and I got to see it in HD--WOW.
Jan 15th, 2008, 06:47 AM
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Thanks for this unsettling account with photos. I'm surprised the photographer was able to capture what he did.
It certainly looked like the lion was the clear aggressor. The vehicle was a good distance away when it stopped.
In Namibia there is less control over how vehicles treat the animals, I presume, than some other more remote places.
It certainly looked like the lion was the clear aggressor. The vehicle was a good distance away when it stopped.
In Namibia there is less control over how vehicles treat the animals, I presume, than some other more remote places.
Jan 15th, 2008, 06:48 AM
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These photos were posted on one of the South Africa sites last year, maybe SANPA or something like that. Someone knew the locale (I think maybe Bots?), and I think they said this was in an area where lions were either hunted or on the border of an area where lions are hunted, which may explain why the lion was pissed off.
Bill
Bill
Jan 15th, 2008, 06:51 AM
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<b>Someone knew the locale (I think maybe Bots?)</b>
Ah, I see the site says Namibia ... sorry. I'm pretty sure someone posted a follow-up on the original postings guessing Bots but maybe they were just guessing wrong.
Bill
Ah, I see the site says Namibia ... sorry. I'm pretty sure someone posted a follow-up on the original postings guessing Bots but maybe they were just guessing wrong.
Bill
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:00 AM
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Anthony May, trustee of The Predator Conservation Trust in UK says -
<i>"Definitely not Etosha. The lion involved is definitely one of the desert lions - it also attacked Flip Standers research vehicle.
Apart from that I know Etosha well and can guarantee its not Etosha. Its definitely the Kunene region."</i>
It would be interesting to see if anyone else has captured this male in action...
Matt
<i>"Definitely not Etosha. The lion involved is definitely one of the desert lions - it also attacked Flip Standers research vehicle.
Apart from that I know Etosha well and can guarantee its not Etosha. Its definitely the Kunene region."</i>
It would be interesting to see if anyone else has captured this male in action...
Matt
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:26 AM
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OK, thanks to Google I dug up the original posting of this from October 2006 ... it was originally posted on the Sanparks.org site and a friend emailed me about it. I posted the info on Fodors Oct 31, 2006, I can't figure out the direct link but this will take you there:
http://berkeleyguides.com/forums/thr...p;tid=34892627
There is an awkward description of how to see the pics on the Sanparks site, which is still active.
From the posts on the Sanparks site I culled the following quotes. Unfortunately the photographer didn't post but a 'friend' did, and he wasn't clear on the locale. Here are some quotes if you check the later replies to the Sanparks post:
follow-up by the guy who posted the pics, claiming south Botswana as the locale (maybe) ... <b><i>"My friend was not in the vehicle that was attacked, she was behind it. She works for a Safari Co and also said she thought the said vehicle to be rather strange although I believe quite common.
It was also in south Botswana somewhere I believe.</i></b> (bottom pg 18)
Couple pages later here's a quote from a German who says the pics were posted on a German site and claiming Namibia as the locale: <b><i>"those pictures with the lion attacking a vehicle have also been showed at a german offroad forum and discussed at a namibian travel forum.
According to them, the pics have been taken at the Ugab Rivier in Namibia.</i></b> (pg 21)
And here's a rare ray of internet insight, a theory that makes a lot of sense from a guide in Bots: <b><i>When I was in Botswana last November I talked to a guide who had seen these pictures. He has an interesting theory about why this lion might have charged the vehicle:
The pictures show that the lion was on a hill when it started the charge. Due to this it's possible that the lion saw its own reflection in one of the windows that this truck has. That would possibly trigger a charge as the lion would think that there was another male lion in his territory. I think it's a very plausible explanation.</i></b>
And with that I'm outta here ... back to packing for the next trip.
Bill
http://berkeleyguides.com/forums/thr...p;tid=34892627
There is an awkward description of how to see the pics on the Sanparks site, which is still active.
From the posts on the Sanparks site I culled the following quotes. Unfortunately the photographer didn't post but a 'friend' did, and he wasn't clear on the locale. Here are some quotes if you check the later replies to the Sanparks post:
follow-up by the guy who posted the pics, claiming south Botswana as the locale (maybe) ... <b><i>"My friend was not in the vehicle that was attacked, she was behind it. She works for a Safari Co and also said she thought the said vehicle to be rather strange although I believe quite common.
It was also in south Botswana somewhere I believe.</i></b> (bottom pg 18)
Couple pages later here's a quote from a German who says the pics were posted on a German site and claiming Namibia as the locale: <b><i>"those pictures with the lion attacking a vehicle have also been showed at a german offroad forum and discussed at a namibian travel forum.
According to them, the pics have been taken at the Ugab Rivier in Namibia.</i></b> (pg 21)
And here's a rare ray of internet insight, a theory that makes a lot of sense from a guide in Bots: <b><i>When I was in Botswana last November I talked to a guide who had seen these pictures. He has an interesting theory about why this lion might have charged the vehicle:
The pictures show that the lion was on a hill when it started the charge. Due to this it's possible that the lion saw its own reflection in one of the windows that this truck has. That would possibly trigger a charge as the lion would think that there was another male lion in his territory. I think it's a very plausible explanation.</i></b>
And with that I'm outta here ... back to packing for the next trip.
Bill
Jan 15th, 2008, 08:33 AM
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Just a quick follow-up to Bill's post...
This is the proper link:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34892627
Google has been pulling up some funny urls that we once used (note the Berkeley guides). If you try to post to a link that starts with berkelyguides you'll probably receive a cookies error when you go to log on.
Strange I know and irreverent for this conversation's point but I figure the more that know the better! We're trying to fix this currently.
This is the proper link:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34892627
Google has been pulling up some funny urls that we once used (note the Berkeley guides). If you try to post to a link that starts with berkelyguides you'll probably receive a cookies error when you go to log on.
Strange I know and irreverent for this conversation's point but I figure the more that know the better! We're trying to fix this currently.
Jan 15th, 2008, 10:35 AM
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I dunno. From the pictures, it looks like there was a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS or possibly a Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 IS sitting on the seat. The lion was clearly going for the lenses. Bloody thief. 
What to do when confronted by a lion:
1. Don't Run.
2. Knock the slowest tourist to the ground. (preferably the one who kept jostling the vehicle when you were taking pictures or kept jabbering at a wildlife sighting.)
3. Step to the left, keeping the slowest tourist between you and the lion at all times, slowly retreating.
3. Don't Run. Get in the landrover and floor it.
4. Post your pictures on fodors.
What to do when confronted by a lion:
1. Don't Run.
2. Knock the slowest tourist to the ground. (preferably the one who kept jostling the vehicle when you were taking pictures or kept jabbering at a wildlife sighting.)
3. Step to the left, keeping the slowest tourist between you and the lion at all times, slowly retreating.
3. Don't Run. Get in the landrover and floor it.
4. Post your pictures on fodors.
Jan 15th, 2008, 03:50 PM
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I loved the delayed explanation of stepping left.
I noticed the hill in the first shot too. Interesting explanation, your forwarded Bill.
Wonder how the lion is today and if he has been left alone.
I noticed the hill in the first shot too. Interesting explanation, your forwarded Bill.
Wonder how the lion is today and if he has been left alone.
Jan 15th, 2008, 04:02 PM
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luangwablondes, earlier I referred Anthony May (PCT) to this thread and he has been interested to hear the views, but as he has not joined to reply, you can ask him directly by visiting
www.predatorconservation.com
and following links to the forum where the images were also posted earlier today.
It's 1am GMT here so I'm not sure I'd be able to provide an answer on his behalf until tomorrow.
Matt
www.predatorconservation.com
and following links to the forum where the images were also posted earlier today.
It's 1am GMT here so I'm not sure I'd be able to provide an answer on his behalf until tomorrow.
Matt
