British journalist is mauled by a caged lion
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Charles Starmer Smith of Britain’s Daily Telegraph newspaper thought it would be a good idea to enter a lion cage in a South African sanctuary. Fortunately he brought along a camera crew to teach the world that messing around with wild animals is dangerous enough for professionals, and probably insane for amateurs.
Smith chose to enter the cage of a 1-year-old lion named Mapimpan who had been raised to be released into the wild. The sanctuary’s lion expert, Arrie, was in the cage with Mapimpan when Smith entered. Immediately the playful cat was interested in its new guest who seemed cool under the pressure.
I began to relax, chuckling with disbelief. Then Mapimpan emitted a low growl as it circled around me. “Remember it just wants to play,” said Arrie, sensing my fear. That was when the lion clamped its jaws around my calf, its teeth sinking into my flesh. It rose on to its haunches, towering above me and I was spun into a waltz with a 300lb predator -- as I pushed desperately at its throat to keep away its jaws. This did not feel like playing. With a series of fierce clips to Mapimpan’s nose Arrie managed to get it to release me. I had to fight the overwhelming urge to run. But I remembered Arrie’s warning. So I stood there motionless, my heart thudding, my lungs gasping for air.
Smith, luckily, escaped the cage with his life and he will have some scars to remind him of his folly.
-- Tony Pierce