Too much familiarity is not a good thing
Open safari vehicle operators should be on the look-out as the behaviour of the pride is of concern and might pose danger to occupants.
Be careful of lions. Especially if you travel in the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the Satara area.
KNP management has issued a statement this week about reports of a pride of lions north of Satara showing abnormal behaviour around vehicles.
Apparently they are not afraid of vehicles and even bites its tyres. Visitors who come across lions displaying such behaviour are warned to keep their windows closed. Visitors on open safari vehicles should ensure that that they remain silent and keep arms and heads within the structure of the vehicle.
KNP managing executive Glenn Phillips said various tourists have witnessed such behaviour and he appealed to open safari vehicle operators specifically to be on the look-out as the behaviour of the pride is of concern and might pose danger to occupants.
Veterinary Wildlife Services will collar a member of this pride to monitor movements and will also mark all members of the pride to allow for identification.
Guests who might have taken photos or video or have feedback on the pride are encouraged to share or post these on the KNP’s social media platforms so that management can try to identify whether it is only a specific member of the pride or whether the entire pride has developed this behaviour.
Guests are requested to photograph the lions in such a way to capture branding marks or ear notches.
“We also request visitors not to get too close to any animals for footage at a sighting, or refrain from placing any items on the vehicle exterior or tyres which might attract and encourage animals to approach the vehicle,” Phillips concluded .
Visitors can also report these to the Emergency Call Centres on 013 735 4064/013 735 0197/076 801 9679.
