There are many programs that keep a wide variety of exotic animals in captivity for the purposes of conservation, education, breeding, and continuing the species. However, there are also less savory reasons to keep rare animals around — and when not properly managed, these endeavors can lead to dangerous situations for both the animals and people nearby. That was recently the case in South Africa when a lion being transported to a game ranch escaped from the truck carrying it, as seen in a video recently shared on Reddit.
What’s happening?
The video shows the lion standing on top of the truck after escaping through its top hatch. As the truck pulls off the road, the lion ju…
There are many programs that keep a wide variety of exotic animals in captivity for the purposes of conservation, education, breeding, and continuing the species. However, there are also less savory reasons to keep rare animals around — and when not properly managed, these endeavors can lead to dangerous situations for both the animals and people nearby. That was recently the case in South Africa when a lion being transported to a game ranch escaped from the truck carrying it, as seen in a video recently shared on Reddit.
What’s happening?
The video shows the lion standing on top of the truck after escaping through its top hatch. As the truck pulls off the road, the lion jumps down to the ground, then strolls away across the street.
(Click here to watch the video if the embed does not appear.)
According to UPI, the incident occurred on the road near Bakerville, between Lichtenburg and Zeerust. The lion was being taken to a game farm in Nietverdiend and was under the influence of a tranquilizer. It was later found resting under a tree and was recaptured, after which it was successfully transported to its destination.
Why is this incident important?
This was an alarming moment for drivers who witnessed the lion’s escape, as viewers can tell by the expression of the driver caught in the rearview mirror in the video.
Wildlife encounters like this one are dangerous for both the people, who could be injured by an uncontrolled animal, and the animal itself, which could be injured by a car, could get hurt during the escape attempt, or might need to be euthanized later to protect people from it.
In this case, the lion sustained only minor injuries, and no one was hurt. However, that was only a matter of luck. An investigation is being conducted into the incident, including whether the correct permits were obtained for the transport. Meanwhile, unfortunately, the lion ultimately ended up at a game ranch — meaning that its ultimate fate is still likely to be a tragic one.
What’s being done about this incident?
Aside from the ongoing investigation into the circumstances of the lion’s transport and escape, many opponents of big game hunting are hard at work trying to end this practice.
Meanwhile, conservationists work to stabilize the wild lion population in South Africa.
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