Not my fault, says driver who bumped lion in KNP
A motorist who bumped into a lion at the Kruger National Park says he did not see the feline as other drivers were blocking the road.
A video of a driver bumping a lioness between Satara and Olifants camps on August 8 has sparked massive public outcry. Lowvelder managed to track down the driver, and here is his version of the events.
As is often the case with a lion sighting in the park, numerous vehicles were jostling for the best view of the pride. A seemingly impatient driver was filmed forcing his way through the traffic in his white Toyota Land Cruiser, bumping a lioness on her rear.
@lowvelder An apparently impatient driver bumped a lioness with his SUV and caravan in tow as he tried to push his way through the viewing traffic between Satara and Olifants Camp in the Kruger Park. #lions #lioness #KNP #Satatrcamp #Olifantscamp #krugernationalpark #Kruger
The video quickly trended on social media, drawing a range of comments from as far afield as the United Kingdom. The newspaper has now identified the driver as Eberhard Frank, a German national who has lived in South Africa since 1967.
Driver tells his side of the story
Frank explained that due to the height of his vehicle’s suspension, he did not see the lioness so close to the bumper. “I got a fright when I felt the bump,” said the Johannesburg resident, who is a frequent visitor to the park. Frank mentioned that he and his wife had already spent a week in the park and were on their way out when they encountered gridlocked traffic on the H1-4.
He blamed his actions on other visitors who, in their efforts to get the best view of the lions, blocked the road. According to Frank, he moved forward when he saw a gap, at the same time that the lions moved so close to his vehicle that he did not see them. “If people had provided a way through, this would not have happened. I remember once, years ago, there was a buffalo kill near Crocodile Bridge. People were also blocking the road, but a ranger told them to provide passage for cars that needed to get through,” he said.
The KNP’s conditions of entry, printed on the permit tourists receive at the entrance, support Frank’s argument.
They state: “In case of a sighting with many cars causing congestion, the lane opposite (further away) from the side of the game or object(s) being viewed may not be blocked by stationary vehicles. This lane must be kept open for those who wish to pass the sighting.”
Frank said he called the Satara camp to report the incident but was told the manager was unavailable. He stated that he left a message but never received a call back.
KNP’s response
The KNP spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, said he was unaware of this phone call. He mentioned that park management had asked the KNP Protection Services to trace the vehicle’s owner and investigate the matter after being alerted to the incident.
Phaahla requested witnesses to come forward with information to assist the park in conducting an unbiased investigation, as the video alone did not provide sufficient details. He reminded the public that animals have the right of way and encouraged everyone to familiarise themselves with the park’s rules.
Phaahla said the driver might be charged under the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 and the Protection Areas Act 57 of 2003 and could be issued a fine, pending the outcome of the investigation.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za