Etosha Lion Attacks Biggestleaf Vehicle
Part of Biggestleaf’s team is currently touring Namibia in search of content for a tourism website. In search wildlife images Robert Bernatzeder steered the Biggestleaf vehicle into Etosha National Park and got more action than he bargained for. Yesterday Robert sent us a report about a damaged 4×4 and one angry male lion.
The Biggestleaf vehicle before the attack
The Biggestleaf vehicle known as Bush Baby entered Etosha on Monday. As the weather was closing in the team decided to go for a game drive. Etosha is currently in the rainy season and navigating the waterlogged roads is challenging. The first wildlife encounter was group of elephants in the road. A young bull mock charging was only a herald of more dramatic things to come. The elephant backed down when the motor started. Under a gloomy sky the team continued to explore the roads of northern Etosha. The 4×4 turned into Stinkwater Road carefully navigating the waterlogged tracks for another 20 minutes before hitting a deep puddle in the road. Getting ready to manoeuvre Bush Baby through the water everyone rolled up the window. A good choice in the light of upcoming events…
Usually lions are undisturbed by vehicles in Etosha National Park
As the window were about to close, a loud roar echoed through the bush. The team looked at each other with big eyes. It was a male lion. As Robert looked in the mirror, he saw the beast charging for the Biggestleaf vehicle. A split second later all hell broke loose. The vehicle was shaking as the large feline had launched himself at the back of the car and started working on the slightly opened rear window. It didn’t take the occupants of the vehicle any time to realize that this could end badly. Robert pulled himself out of the initial shock and found the reverse gear. After 300 metres he swung bush baby around and didn’t look back. When the king of beast is in a bad mood, you don’t want to argue.
The Biggestleaf vehicle after meeting the king of beasts: Not a pretty sight.
Back at the camp Robert Bernatzeder examined the vehicle. The 250 kg feline had done some real damage to the vehicle. The sheer power of the lion’s bite left deep marks on the back door. Luckily none of the team was harmed. Unprovoked attacks on vehicles are exceptionally rare. Park authorities are still examining this extraordinary behaviour. At the very least this is a lesson that Africa’s national parks are true wilderness areas. The Big 5 are a great tourist attraction, but they are wild animals and they demand respect. If you thought about leaning out of the window or even getting out of the vehicle, you need to think again.
We would love to know if anyone has a theory on what could have triggered this unusual behaviour by the lion. Please share your opinion in the comment section!
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Henri Craemer
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Crossrowds
Henri Craemer says: Great story.
What is your position on hunting and poaching?
Crossrowds says: Our vehicle broke down in Kruger and we had to change vehicles in the park. No guns or protection. We moved quickly and did not have an “event”, but I can tell you that we were very nervous!
