A Question about Lion Behavior?

Question

I am leaving in less than a month to study abroad in South Africa. I have heard that on occasion lions wander into the city where I will live. If I should see a lion wandering about, does anyone know what to do? Especially if it should walk up to me?

Thank you!

Answer 1

I don't know what some of these people are talking about. You NEVER run from a lion unless you have absolutly NO other choice. Running triggers the predatory instinct in big cats (think about it, their prey always runs from them). If you run, they will chase you, almost guaranteed. You must stand your ground. If they come at you, it will most likely be a threat, first and formost. Make yourself seem as big and scary as you can. Hold your hands over your head and yell. If you have a jacket or a sweatshirt with you, hold that over your head. The bigger you look and the louder you are, the more intimidating you are to that lion. It's just as the old saying goes: "they are more afraid of you than you are of them." Hope that helps.

Answer 2

If this does happen, you do not run. The lion will chase you, will pounce on you before you reach the end of the block and tear you apart like tissue paper. I don't really know how to answer this question. I know if you have something bigger than the lion's head or mouth and put it up close the lion thinks of it as another mouth and will retreat. That is how lion tamers in circus and animal entertainment keeps the lion from getting too close and/or attacking. Now how do you go about with carrying that around in case? I do not know, but that is one way you can keep the lion from going about.

If anything best bet is keep still and try not to make eye contact. Animals in the animal kingdom find eye contact being a signal for a battle of the strong. But in the end if it is your time to go it is your time. The lion is lost and only trying ot find the way back to the tribe the lion belongs to, do not bother the lion and the lion shouldn't bother you. Do not show or think of fear either, their instincts picks up on it, stand your ground and show the lion you are not to be messed with. Don't pick a fight, but do that if it comes to it. Stand tall and proud.

Answer 3

Your best bet is to pray that doesn't happen. OK, really...

If you are not extremely close to a door you can close behind you, you will have to back away slowly or stand completely still until the animal wants to leave you alone. Think about what a household cat does when a mouse takes off scurrying away from it...the cat chases it, catches it and plays with it until it is dead. Lions have the same natural instincts as house cats, they are just bigger.

So if you encounter a lion in the street, don't run. Be as calm and still as possible and pray a whole bunch.

PS. Someone told me this though..."You don't have to be faster than the lion, juster faster than the person behind you." LMAO

Answer 4

Never run! This will make the lion think you are a prey item and it will chase and kill you. As far a mountain lions go, and African Lions may be similar, you never turn your back on them. You try and back slowing away facing them until you get to safety. You can also try and make yourself look bigger by opening your jacket, waving your arms, etc. If it keeps approaching you, you can yell at it, throw rocks at it, etc. But be careful when bending to get items to throw at it, as the smaller you look, the more likey for the lion to attack! Ducking down or squatting is not a good thing when faced with a predator. Good Luck.

Answer 5

You best bet is to run. But don't run in straight line as it will outrun you, assuming it intend to chase you. I will say a lost lion will not be that agressive in chasing others. It will be more defensive.

Anyhow, i would run obstacles and running in and out of cars to avoid a straight line of sight between me and a lion.

Answer 6

You should run very fast. Hell, you should run like the wind, because they do too.