NELSPRUIT – The Kruger National Park (KNP) is still looking for the woman who used her vehicle to push a lion out of her way in the park last week.
Mr William Mabasa, general manager of communications and marketing for the KNP, said the incident occurred on Thursday morning in the Crocodile Bridge area of the park. Eyewitnesses saw a female driver of a 4×4 vehicle push a lion off the road with her vehicle. According to Mabasa, the lion scratched at the car and bit its tyre.
“Unfortunately by the time we got to the scene the driver had gone. Luckily the lion was not injured,” Mabasa said.
The driver has not been identified. Mabasa again called on people to come forward with any information. “We appeal to the public to come forward and provide us with information or photos regarding this violation of the park’s rules. We especially want to obtain the culprit’s vehicle registration number. This will assist us in tracking the offender and taking the necessary steps against her.”
Some media had reported a second incident involving a lion and a car, but Mabasa said it was one and the same event.
According to the rules of the park, driving or operating a vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner or in a deliberate or intentional disregard for the safety of any person, species, specimen or property, is not merely punishable with a fine, but could land a culprit in criminal court.
Enquiries: Mabasa at 013-735-4363. View a video of a previous lion-tourist incident here.
