Here’s Why Lions Don’t Attack People In A Safari Vehicle [Video]
Wild animals attacking vehicles and humans is a common news topic on the internet. In most cases, these incidents are reported when vehicles are passing through the animals’ territory or area. There are a few instances where these animals have come out to villages and cities from their habitats, causing chaos. Often, people escape from such attacks by a very small margin. There have been cases where people have lost their lives too. However, we rarely come across such incidents in a jungle safari park. In Africa and many other countries, including India, there are national parks that offer jungle safari trips to tourists. We have rarely heard of instances where these safari vehicles are attacked by tigers, leopards, or other wild animals. Have you ever wondered why that is? Here we have a video that explains just that.
Open Jeeps (and other vehicles) and still no attack?
The video here has been shared by WildThing on their YouTube channel. In this video, the vlogger specifically discusses lions or predatory animals from the cat family in the wild. We have seen several videos where big cats like cheetahs, leopards, and lions get very close to safari vehicles without attacking or showing any aggression toward the tourists in the vehicle.
These jeeps are not enclosed and are designed to offer a 360-degree view of the area. This helps in spotting the animals easily and also gives all passengers in the safari vehicle an equal view.
The vehicle and the people are one animal, to the lion!
Another reason why animals like lions do not show much aggression toward safari vehicles is that they perceive the car and the people in it as one big object or animal. To lions and tigers, the people and the vehicle appear as parts of a large, singular “beast.” The size of the vehicle also makes a difference. While this may work with big cats, animals like elephants, wild buffaloes, or even rhinos may attack such vehicles, as they are often larger than the safari vehicle.
Is it always safe?
People who go on safari trips often forget or are unaware of basic rules. They sometimes shout, wave, and even do things that provoke the animals, which may not end well. The lion may recognize them as separate from the vehicle and may attack. The risk factor increases when people put their heads out of the safari vehicles to see the animals.
Habit is another reason
These animals don’t show aggression because they are used to it. When an area is opened for jungle safari trips, the authorities often make some preparations. They drive vehicles close to the animals to observe their behavior toward this unfamiliar object in their world. While the animals might attack the vehicle the first time, over time, they become accustomed to it and stop attacking.
Big ‘prey’
As mentioned above, the size of the safari vehicle is another reason why animals like lions don’t attack. Safari vehicles are large, and animals like lions and cheetahs avoid expending energy on huge prey due to the risk of injury. If a person exits the safari vehicle, however, these cats might change their approach and attack. If any animal shows aggression, it is always advised not to panic and to slowly drive the vehicle away.
Experienced drivers and guides
The drivers of safari vehicles receive proper training to ensure they don’t panic in emergency situations. These drivers are familiar with the behavior of these animals, as they have observed them over time. If an elephant or rhino is seen running toward the vehicle, the best way to escape is simply to drive away as quickly as possible.
Many wildlife parks outside India allow private vehicles, and people can see the animals from their cars. In such cases, it is always recommended to keep the windows closed and doors locked, as these animals might try to break into the vehicle or come too close in search of food.