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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

AIBU to expect someone driving through a lion safari to have their car windows securely closed

108 replies

IAmAShitHotLawyer · 07/06/2015 17:28

Seriously? Why would anyone be that reckess? Just why?

OP posts:
Icimoi · 07/06/2015 18:01

So, does it make you feel good, sneering at this woman's stupidity, then?

fiveacres · 07/06/2015 18:03

Well that's one good thing (the lioness)

I do feel terribly sorry for the woman and her family, but really there is such a lot of arrogance in her actions when you stop to consider them. She risked - and paid with - her own life, but other people's too.

fiveacres · 07/06/2015 18:05

Just seen that the lioness is being kept isolated. That's going to be hugely distressing for her.

The park made it clear, but I have known someone very like this woman - always thought the rules didn't apply, always thought any safety notices were over cautious. They died too young as well. It's sad, very sad but - they make a choice.

LuluJakey1 · 07/06/2015 18:08

What happened was awful but I too can not understand how they opened two windows in the car- the front passenger one was opened by the driver and the passanger herself opened the back passanger one.

Lions are like any cat- they can be very docile but are curious and unpredictable and hunters. Anything that catches their attention and moves/ makes a sound can quickly be attacked. They are huge and very powerful and merciless. My dad worked in Africa in the 1940s and said they were beautiful but completely unpredictable and could turn in a flash from uninterested to savage.

All wildlife reserves have huge notices and warnings. Poor woman but how they opened two windows wide next to a pair of lions, I can not understand.

WhatTheHellArePoshChips · 07/06/2015 18:11

i remember reading a few years back about a man sticking his head through cage bars and a lion biting it clean off- its was accompanied by a picture of said man in such a state, that shook me, but for some reason this more so, possibly because shes a couple of years older than me, and i imagine it really was a imitation of the driver as he had opened his window and a few seconds later, she did the same

fiveacres · 07/06/2015 18:12

They are predators. Predators tend to be territorial. She may well have been protecting her cubs.

It's a real shame. I seem to remember a young woman being killed by a croc a few years ago, too.

littlebillie · 07/06/2015 18:13

I imagine she just had it down a bit to take a picture the lions weight would have dropped it as it went for her. Very very sad. How is this helpful? I probably would have done the same.

MerynFuckingTrant · 07/06/2015 18:15

Wtf? What a horrible thread!

Ubik1 · 07/06/2015 18:16

It was a stupid thing to do

And she died an horrific death. The driver must be utterly traumatised.

And that's all there is to say really.

Ledkr · 07/06/2015 18:20

People die everyday taking risks, do they all deserve to die what a cunty sentiment!

Moreisnnogedag · 07/06/2015 18:22

It's more dangerous to do this in Safari parks rather than our game reserves. At the safari parks they are used to the smell of man and can associate them with food. In proper game reserves lions won't react to jeeps and most people have their windows open (apart from around baboons).

Why anyone would go this place when there are multiple national parks around including Kruger Park is beyond me.

DixieNormas · 07/06/2015 18:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IonaMumsnet · 07/06/2015 18:47

Evening all. We don't want to stifle discussion about stories in the news but we would just like to remind folk that at the centre of this story there is a young woman dead, in horrific circumstances, and a family grieving for her, so please try to be mindful of that when posting. Thank you.

HamishBamish · 07/06/2015 19:00

I can only think she just did it without thinking. She paid the ultimate price. I don't think anyone could argue that she was extremely unwise to do what she did, but I don't think there's any point in raising a thread on it. It is what it is. A horrific accident.

Lookatmyredtrousers · 07/06/2015 19:03

Actually I am going to go against the grain and be the stupid Wink I'm an avid watcher of nature programmes. I have no idea where this park was on the zoo/ wild scale but well fed lions wouldn't usually be particularly interested in humans, especially not ones in a car. So whilst I can't say I would drive through with open windows I can see why you might think it a risk worth taking to open for a picture and I bet many, many tourists do. I think this is part negligence, part freak accident

Sunsoo · 07/06/2015 19:15

That poor lion. I hope they don't put her down, it's not her fault. Sad

villainousbroodmare · 07/06/2015 19:25

Let me preface this by saying that it is desperately sad that that woman is dead.
I live in SA, and I've been to that lion park, and to lots of game reserves. The lion park is small and busy and about as far from wilderness as you can get. The animals are extremely habituated to humans. When you go in, you are warned not to stop your car close to the lions, which can be difficult as traffic is heavy and people ignore instructions. Outside, as we drove in, we noticed three vehicles changing tyres. The reason for this became clear inside. The lions stroll around right up to cars, and one stationary car in front of us (which couldn't go anywhere) had a male lion walk up as casually as a if he were a dog about to pee on the wheel. He seized the tyre in his jaws and started to shake the car, a large Mercedes, violently. The tyre exploded with a bang and he moved on to the next one. The people had to drive out on the rims of their shredded tyres.

I have seen some amazing things, like a woman who got out of her car at a campsite in a game reserve about ten feet away from a very obviously pissed-off bull elephant which she had OVERTAKEN in her Fiat Punto. She must have thought that it would be against the rules, somehow, for the animal to kill her since she was in a car park, albeit a car park that was just bit of beaten earth.
I've spoken to a very aggrieved woman who in similar circumstances tooted her horn repeatedly at an elephant, because, she said, she had to let him know that she was NOT okay with his proximity.
I couldn't tell you the number of people who I've seen lean out of their cars or even step out of their cars.

I imagine that very shortly there will be no such thing as self-drive safari, as people simply cannot get their heads around the fact that animals are powerful and can be really dangerous.

redbinneo · 07/06/2015 19:27

Anyone who has ever "owned" a cat knows that they are predators.

Moreisnnogedag · 07/06/2015 19:34

Vill we've seen a woman park up along us and two other cars to get something out her boot. We were watching hyenas Shock and as soon as she opened her door they ran for her car. everyone yelled at her and luckily she got back inside safely. I think people just think it's like a zoo or petting farm.

SoupDragon · 07/06/2015 19:40

Err I never said "if you are stupid, you deserve to die?"

I said if you are that Stupid. then yes. sorry i have NO sympathy fo you.

How are those two statements different?

bobajob · 07/06/2015 19:40

I imagine if the driver opened their window, she thought it was safe.

villainousbroodmare · 07/06/2015 19:40

Scary, Môre!

DisappointedOne · 07/06/2015 19:48

Why anyone would go this place when there are multiple national parks around including Kruger Park is beyond me.

This. Have done several self-drive safaris at Kruger. The rules are incredibly simple. You respect the animals and never ever put yourself where you can't get out of. I've seen info out drive into the middle of herds of elephant (divided by the road) and stick their heads out the sunroof. If an elephant wanted to it could kill them in seconds.

villainousbroodmare · 07/06/2015 19:57

I suppose because it's right there in Jo'burg and if you just want a quick guaranteed sighting of lions and a few other animals it'll allow you to tick that box.
It's not a nice place.

Viviennemary · 07/06/2015 19:58

Of course it's sad this person died. Health & Safety rules aren't always followed as well as they should be. She shouldn't have had the window open. I don't think safari parks are very safe places for cars. I went to one years ago but on a coach and that felt a lot safer than a car.