Huge lion gets up close and personal with stunned campers
In the campsite, the quiet campsite, the lion creeps tonight.
Campers in Botswana got a closer wildlife encounter than intended after a massive male lion swaggered through their campsite — creeping within feet of the petrified safari-goers.
“Lions come into the camps unannounced and in total silence as it happened to us,” said an unidentified videographer of the “once in a lifetime” sighting, which was filmed May 8 in a natural reserve in Kgalagadi, Storyful reported.
The heart-stopping POV footage starts off with the predator strolling around the perimeter of the campsite like a scene out of the 2022 Idris Ilba horror film “Beast.”
After seemingly wandering off into the brush, the big cat then turns around and wanders toward the family, who whisper to each other not to move.
The pride patriarch then pads right up to their dining table and inspects the cutlery.
The lion could first be seen wandering in the distance. YouTube
The big cat then lumbered toward the campers. YouTube
At one point in the mane-raising encounter, the feline accidentally knocks a bottle off the table and causes it to clatter noisily on the ground, seemingly shattering its perception as a stealthy hunter.
The clip concludes with the lion approaching within feet of the statue-still safari-goers before flashing them a bone-chilling stare — and then disappearing into the wild.
It might have seemed prudent to try to flee the scene before the big cat — which can grow to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 550 pounds — came within mauling distance.
The animal examined some goods on a table, knocking over a bottle in the process. YouTube
The big beast then wandered closer to the safari-goers, who stayed as still as possible during the close encounter. YouTube
In a particularly frightening moment, the lion stole a look at the campers — but then just kept on walking around, seemingly paying them little heed. YouTube
However, one of the campers told Storyful that they’d agreed before the trip that were they to have such an encounter, they would “not go running, as it would encourage most wildlife to chase.”
“If anyone panics and runs or makes sudden movements, the chances are high that they may be attacked,” said the witness.
And while she recognized the privilege of witnessing such a regal animal up close, she acknowledged that there was “no room for error.”
Source: New York Post
