WATCH VIDEO: Kruger National Park Leopard on Vehicle

Leopard Climbs on Safari Vehicle, Raises Safety Questions

A rare and surprising moment happened during a safari in Kruger National Park, South Africa, when a leopard jumped onto the front of an open safari vehicle. The animal was very close to the guide and only a few steps away from the guests. This event quickly spread on social media, causing many people to share their opinions.

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Safari.com posted pictures and a video showing the leopard calmly sitting on the bonnet (front part) of the vehicle. They called it a “very rare experience” and praised the guide for staying calm. They said the guide’s reaction helped keep everyone safe. However, the company also admitted that this situation was dangerous and should not happen again.

The incident happened in a private part of the park. Another guide nearby can be heard in a video talking while the leopard sat on the vehicle. Guests took out their phones to take photos and videos.

The safari lodge later explained that the leopard was likely curious. Its cubs were nearby, eating an impala (a type of antelope). The male cub moved toward the vehicle and suddenly jumped onto it. Park officials were told about the incident right away. The lodge said this kind of interaction is not normal and goes against their safety rules. They added that their main goal is to protect both the guests and the animals.

Even though some people online admired the guide for staying calm, many others criticized the situation. They felt that something must have gone wrong for the animal to get that close.

What happened after the video is not clear, but the event has raised concerns about safety and animal behavior during safaris.