A tour vehicle was recently captured on Camera running over a lion’s tail, causing the animal to jump in pain.
The inane driver behind the Toyota Landcruiser was unperturbed, his passengers though it was part of the game drive offering.
Another driver let one the tourists in his vehicle to fling open the front door, as a lioness approached, then proceeded to pat the wild cat.
The lion caressing act must have been accompanied with tons of luck for the offender, for he could have easily been attacked and even killed by the predator.
Many people condemned the act, questioning why the driver of the van, watched without intervening.
However, latest developments reveal that driver actually did his best to prevent the passenger from acting that way, but without success.
Videos of such law-breaking escapades by tour groups in the National Parks, including Serengeti continue to make rounds on social media platforms.
And people that have so far watched the clips are not thrilled.
The Tanzania National Parks Management is even less impressed.
The TANAPA Conservation Commissioner, William Mwakilema says already the authority is addressing both cases, including taking necessary steps against the offenders.
On his part the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators (TATO) Executive Sirili Akko has just released a statement condemning the two incidences.
In his dispatch to TATO members, Akko says they were following up the case with the management of Leopard Tours a company whose one of the vehicles was seen with a tourist patting lion.
Another statement from the Tanzania National Parks’ Communication Department, signed by Catherine Mbena issues warning to tourists and driver/guide not to play with wild animals for their safety.
The statement also points out that getting too close to wildlife in the parks, may alter the animals’ behavior.
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