The humans are gone and the lions of Kruger National Park, South Africa, take advantage of it for a nice nap directly on the asphalt of the road
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himThe humans are gone with their cars and the lions of Kruger National Park in South Africa take the opportunity to take a nice nap directly on this road, which is usually occupied by tourists.
Park ranger Richard Sowry, who was on patrol at the time, captured the "siesta" of the big cats in broad daylight. Kruger, like other natural parks, has been closed since March 25 due to the restrictive measures against the coronavirus.
Until now, animals of the savannah had only been spotted on this road during the coldest nights (and rarely), when they took advantage of the heat released by the asphalt to warm up.
This just immortalized, however, is a very unusual behavior. And the close-up photos, taken from just 5 meters away, are sensational.
As a ranger at one of Africa's largest game reserves, Sowry performs essential service and continues to work even during the lockdown, monitoring wildlife and protecting it from poachers.
@RICHARD SOWRY / KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
@RICHARD SOWRY / KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
@RICHARD SOWRY / KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
These "quiet" times have also seen lions venture even to a golf course in the country, which has so far recorded 2.506 cases of infection, making it currently the most affected in Africa.
“Normally the lions would be in the bushes due to the traffic, but they are very intelligent and are now enjoying the freedom of the park without us,” concludes the ranger.
Kruger visitors that tourists do not normally see. #SALockdown This lion pride are usually resident on Kempiana Contractual Park, an area Kruger tourists do not see. This afternoon they were lying on the tar road just outside of Orpen Rest Camp.
?Section Ranger Richard Sowry pic.twitter.com/jFUBAWvmsA
— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) April 15, 2020
But why would lions prefer asphalt to the softness of grass? Probably for the simple reason that it had rained and the road was drier.
Smart! And very happy that they no longer have cars in their territory.
And, luckily for them, they don't need to keep social distances.
Fonti: Kruger National Park, BBC
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