Camping with friends
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. A couple wanted to have a real experience of camping in the bush to be near the African wildlife and feel that “African vibe.” They got their wish by camping in a wildlife park in natural reserve in Kgalagadi, Botswanna. The video below gives you a glimpse of the folks, their equipment and their tent as they got ready for supper and to bed down for the night. They were part of a regular grouping of tents and set ups for tourists who are willing to sign away their life and pay for the privilege of encountering African animals up close and personal. They understood, “Lions come into the camps unannounced and in total silence as it happened to us.” It was a once in a lifetime experience,” said an unidentified videographer.
The big cat can be seen calmly strolling through the campsite and sniffing around the dinner table. Male lions can grow to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 550 pounds, this one came within easy mauling distance. As it eventually leaves the scene, the camera turns to a family, standing perfectly still and silent a few feet away. One of the campers told Storyful that the family had agreed before setting up their stuff that should they 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.” She said that being in such surroundings was a privilege, but that there was “no room for error.”
The campsites best suited to hardy campers, with thick sand and limited shade. The best campsites are under the shady trees. The barricaded ablution blocks are to ward off thirsty elephants trying to access water during dry season. Savuti is known as one of the noisier choices of camp (both human and animal noise) but it’s also one of the most exciting, with a good chance of lions, elephants and hyenas wandering into camp at night. Campers must be on guard against these dangers, especially with small children. It’s important to stay in your campsite after dark and drive rather than walk to the bathroom.
These lions ain’t sleeping
This NYC neighborhood is getting so bad that we had an incident at the zoo. A lion got out of its cage and was mauled by several people illegals before it could get back to safety.
A woman lion tamer had the big cats under such control they took a lump of sugar from her lips on command. “Anyone can do that,” a skeptic yelled. The ringmaster came over and asked, ”and would you like to try it?” “Sure,” replied the man, “but first get those crazy lions out of there.”
Why don’t lions hang out with other species?
“Their pride gets in the way.”
In Africa there is an old fable: There was a lion and water buffalo and the Lion decided he was the better animal and attacked and ate the buffalo. He was so proud of his accomplishment that he stood up tall and roared and roared for all the world to hear. The hunter’s heard the roar came and killed the lion. The moral of the story: When you are full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
May 7 Birthdays
1991 – Sydney Leroux, 1980 – Betsy Rue, 1994 – Erica Fernandez, 1987 – Katie Danza
1840 – Peter Tchaikovsky, 1833 – Johan Brahms, 1901 – Gary Cooper, 1966 – Brian Kilmeade