Lion caught in snare saved after tourists post photos to Facebook
- 8 years ago
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA — Images of a severely injured lion, bleeding from his neck, circulated across social media over the weekend.
The lion, named Percy, was initially spotted by two tourists on safari, Meliska Vijoen and Meike Pettit. The two say the lion was stumbling down a road in Kruger National Park in South Africa, a snare wrapped around his neck and piercing his eye.
When the lion came towards their vehicle and laid down in the road in front of their vehicle, they quickly took photos of the injured creature and went straight to park authorities.
"We found him in the road clearly asking for help," wrote Vijoen on Facebook. "We turned around and raced of to get help. [sic]."
Upset at being unable to find immediate help for the lion, Vijoen continues, "30min and no one could tell us anything. We asked for them to keep our number and give us feedback and they said they don't do that. The gentleman later told me that he left cause of closing time and no ranger was present [sic]."
According to authorities, a search was launched that day. Kruger National Park is roughly 7,523 square miles, close in size to Israel, which is 8,019 square miles. It took two days before rescuers were able to spot and detain the lion near a crocodile-infested river.
At first veterinarians feared that Percy would have to be euthanized due to his injuries but, after removing the snare, they were able to treat the lion. Authorities believe Percy was caught in a trap set by poachers trying to catch smaller game.
A snare typically consists of a wire that tightens around an animal's neck as it struggles to free itself. Percy has since been released and the park reports he is recovering well.
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The lion, named Percy, was initially spotted by two tourists on safari, Meliska Vijoen and Meike Pettit. The two say the lion was stumbling down a road in Kruger National Park in South Africa, a snare wrapped around his neck and piercing his eye.
When the lion came towards their vehicle and laid down in the road in front of their vehicle, they quickly took photos of the injured creature and went straight to park authorities.
"We found him in the road clearly asking for help," wrote Vijoen on Facebook. "We turned around and raced of to get help. [sic]."
Upset at being unable to find immediate help for the lion, Vijoen continues, "30min and no one could tell us anything. We asked for them to keep our number and give us feedback and they said they don't do that. The gentleman later told me that he left cause of closing time and no ranger was present [sic]."
According to authorities, a search was launched that day. Kruger National Park is roughly 7,523 square miles, close in size to Israel, which is 8,019 square miles. It took two days before rescuers were able to spot and detain the lion near a crocodile-infested river.
At first veterinarians feared that Percy would have to be euthanized due to his injuries but, after removing the snare, they were able to treat the lion. Authorities believe Percy was caught in a trap set by poachers trying to catch smaller game.
A snare typically consists of a wire that tightens around an animal's neck as it struggles to free itself. Percy has since been released and the park reports he is recovering well.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
Stay connected with us here:
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/TomoNewsUS
Twitter @tomonewsus http://www.twitter.com/TomoNewsUS
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Instagram @tomonewsus http://instagram.com/tomonewsus