Everyone has seen ‘The Lion King’ or ‘Madagascar’ and been fascinated with the idea of befriending lions as cute as Simba, Alex and Nala. And maybe even break into a dance number with them. However, after watching a few episodes of ‘When Animals Attack’, we understood that there’s a good chance that lions will act more like Scar than Simba in front of us. But one lion in Crimea is determined to clean up their image for its pride.
In a video that’s going viral on social media, a lion can be seen stepping into a tourist vehicle and calmly greeting each and every one of them.
In most safari rides, either the tourists are in a covered vehicle or the animals are kept at a distance with the help of electrified fences. So, the Taigan Safari Park ride looked strange from the get go as the tourists were riding in a extended version of a golf cart with nothing between them and the lion.
However, contrary to popular belief, things went pretty smoothly. Filya, the lion first hopped on to the driver’s seat and rubbed itself against him and his co-passenger. And then it went onto greet every single passenger in its vicinity. Once that was done, Filya nicely moved aside and kind of nodded at everyone as the tourists left.
You can watch the video here:
Would you let a lion get this close? Taigan Safari Park does, despite a woman being hurt by a different lion in the same park weeks previously.
For more of the day's news, head here: https://t.co/iOm40vn1kt pic.twitter.com/wl2skY008N
— SkyNews (@SkyNews) September 5, 2018
Netizens couldn’t believe what they were seeing and began thinking whether they want to have a big cat as a pet now or not.
1. You never know.
https://twitter.com/SteveHy30160112/status/1037358548567638016
2. Oh come on. At least one try.
Although he looks as affectionate as my cat NO chance would I chance that 😹
— gladiatorjac's🍷💛🌹🇬🇧 (@gladiatorjacs) September 5, 2018
3. The sofa always belongs to the dog.
Just like when the dog jumps on the sofa one min your watching tv next your on the floor looks fun but bit iffy
— Wayne Titterton 🇬🇧🇺🇸🏴🇺🇸🇬🇧❌ (@nwcustomparts) September 5, 2018
4. No, it’s not just you.
I don't understand all the laughing. THIS IS A LION. A REAL LION. But hey, that's just me. *shrugs* https://t.co/LzEVaq1Z4C
— Drew Walker 🎙📻 🎧✌️ (@radiodrew) September 5, 2018
5. It’s a free world after all.
i feel like this lion and i would be total bros. https://t.co/4gaj5uGpZ6
— Casey Neistat (@Casey) September 6, 2018
6. Only facts.
You can’t place a box out in the open and expect a cat to stay out of it.
— Adam Thompson (@AdamThompson48) September 5, 2018
7. That lion will kill you …. with its cuteness.
This lion maybe pic.twitter.com/T1v7GQ3KAz
— Stevie (@chelsealoyal1) September 5, 2018
8. Running isn’t a good idea.
Never!!! I will be out of there like yesterday pic.twitter.com/pJORXLIXCo
— Dr. Tam Brisibe (@GoodieTam) September 5, 2018
9. Same.
I would drop dead on the spot. My heart would tap out. https://t.co/OVaJfEdAK0
— Depressica (@Jecsisa) September 7, 2018
10. Humans, am I right?
"move Steve you never tell the story right…" – Lion https://t.co/kamL2VLHTL
— Some dude named Tim (@DudeNamedTim) September 6, 2018
11. For a second I thought it’ll drive away with the car.
That's the lion's car now. https://t.co/n9oAHu9aSl
— Don (@Don__Victor) September 6, 2018
12. Off to Crimea then?
My head: screaming.
My heart: WANT PET LION TO SNUGGLE. STAT. https://t.co/CNNldQmtRc— Nicola Davidson 🏳️🌈 🇳🇿 (@NicolaMDavidson) September 7, 2018
Wild animals are as unpredictable as humans and react in the same way any human would react if someone would barge into your personal space to touch you. However, maybe if a friendlier approach is taken, they’ll react like Filya. That said, would you want to get up close with this lion or is still a ‘nope’ for you?