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Showing posts with label Lion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lion. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
House Cat Seems Unfazed by a Giant Mountain Lion Outside Window
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Wednesday, June 3, 2015
A Woman Was Killed by a Lion at a Tourist Attraction in South Africa
An American woman killed by a lion Monday at a tourist
attraction in South Africa was taking pictures through an open car window when
the beast leaped through and fatally bit her, park officials said.
The dead tourist ignored more than 40 signs and verbal
warnings about keeping windows closed while visiting the Gauteng Lion Park in
Johannesburg, a popular 17-acre attraction visitors drive through in their
personal vehicles while the massive animals roam freely.
The unnamed woman, described as in her 30s, was a passenger
Monday afternoon when the lioness attacked. The driver, a tour guide, was
hospitalized for scratches suffered after he tried to punch the animal once it
entered the vehicle.
“They had their windows all the way down, which is strictly
against policy,” assistant operations manager Scott Simpson said. “The lion bit
the lady through the window.”
The U.S. Embassy in South Africa confirmed an American had
been killed, but had yet to identify her.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the
deceased in this sad incident,” the embassy tweeted.
The lioness will not be euthanized, though the area where
the attack occurred will be closed off to the public during an investigation.
The rest of the parking will be open and “operating as usual,” Simpson said
Tuesday. The 9-year-old lioness will moved to a different property owned by the
park that is not open to tourists.
“The park is not closed and it is not closing,” Simpson
said. “We have closed off where the incident happened, so those lions won’t be
seeing the public until we have had an investigation and we know what exactly
happened.”
Celebrity sightings at the park over the years include
singers Shakira and John Legend, who visited with his model wife, Chrissy
Teigen.
The attack is the third in the park in just four months. An
Australian tourist, who admitted to having his window down, was bitten on his
legs after a lion jumped in and bit him. He posted graphic photos of the
injuries on Facebook.
Just two days later, a 13-year-old boy riding a bicycle
used the park as a shortcut and was attacked by a cheetah, eNCA reported.
In March 2014, a woman posted on YouTube a clip showing a
lion at a park in South Africa opening a car door with its mouth. The
terrifying, minute-long video has since been viewed some 13.6 million times.
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Thursday, April 16, 2015
Now, 34 Years Later, 'Roar', Labeled ' the Most Dangerous Movie Ever Made' to Return to Theaters: No Animals Were Harmed During the Making of This Movie
Now, 34 years later, Drafthouse Films is giving "Roar" its big-screen due, re-releasing it in six theaters nationwide on Friday, then expanding it to about 50 cities through May. A DVD release is planned for later this summer.
The story loosely follows a wildlife preservationist whose family comes to visit him and is attacked in their home by the animals. Most of the film has the cast running and hiding in fear as they narrowly escape the all too real danger. Dozens of scenes show full grown lions chasing the actors, pawing at their faces and even wrestling them to the ground.
While the exact number of on-set injuries remains a point of contention, the "Roar" shoot was an OSHA nightmare. Many wounds were well-documented in press coverage at the time and also in Hedren's 1985 book "The Cats of Shambala," referring to her Shambala Preserve north of Los Angeles, where "Roar" was filmed.
In one instance, Hedren was bitten on the back of the head by a lion. She also suffered fractures and skin grafts after being thrown by an elephant. Then-teenager Melanie Griffith — who quit the project for a time because she didn't want to come out of it with "half a face," according to her mother — returned to the set, only to be mauled and clawed by a lion.
Marshall, who wrote, directed and starred in the film, suffered so many bites, including a few that made the final cut, that he was eventually stricken with gangrene. And Dutch cinematographer Jan de Bont, in his first U.S. shoot, required 120 stitches after being scalped by a lion.
"I got bit really bad early on," said Noel Marshall's son, John Marshall, who wore many hats on set in addition to acting in the film. He recalled a harrowing moment when a male lion latched onto his head. It took six men 25 minutes to separate the two. That encounter required 56 stitches.
"It was a very traumatic bite. But I went back two days later," he said.
Noel Marshall (who died in 2010) was a fearless and unsympathetic leader during the shoot at Shambala, where the family lived. According to his son, the director often refused to call "cut," even when the actors (mostly family members) cried out for help. He never wanted to lose a take. He also couldn't show any weakness in front of the animals, his son said.
"Melanie and Tippi would try to gravitate to scenes with me. I would put their lives ahead of mine and they knew that," said John Marshall, who was basically the only person on set who could stand up to his father.
As one of the few cast members willing to help promote the "Roar" re-release, John Marshall said he still gets nightmares about the experience.
"Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful time. But it was stupid," he said.
During the production, the Shambala Preserve set, located in rustic Soledad Canyon 50 miles north of Los Angeles, was destroyed by two wild fires and one flood. A few lions escaped during the deluge and local law enforcement had to shoot three of them.
And yet, as authentic as the terror is, "Roar's" flimsy story and cheesy script are sorely lacking. Even Hedren admitted as much after seeing the film at its Australia premiere.
The $17 million film only made $2 million internationally. It was also the death knell for Hedren's marriage to Noel Marshall.
And "Roar's" problems continue.
Hedren had invited The Associated Press to her Shambala home for an interview about "Roar" and concerns regarding promotion of the 're-release. But she canceled when the Board of Directors of the preserve and her Roar Foundation asked her not to speak publicly about the film.
Through a spokesman, Hedren did tell the AP that promotion for the re-release was filled with "inaccuracies" and that she was "not thrilled." She added, "There are too many for me to even begin to comment."
Drafthouse Films, the distribution arm of the hip, Austin-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, uses press quotes like "snuff version of 'Swiss Family Robinson'" in its promos for "Roar."
"I think she's just lately come to not really be so proud of the film anymore," said Alamo Drafthouse founder and CEO Tim League, who was tipped off to its existence (and harrowing production) by indie director Greg Marcks. He immediately went in search of the rights holder and reached a deal with Olive Films to co-release the film.
League tried to contact Hedren before announcing Drafthouse's plans to re-release the film but didn't hear back until after the announcement was made.
"The whole thing is a mess," said League. "A fascinating and lovable mess."
"No animals were harmed during the making of 'Roar.' But 70 members of the cast and crew were." So claims a trailer for the theatrical re-release of a little-seen 1981 adventure film starring Tippi Hedren, daughter Melanie Griffith and 150 lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars and elephants.
Online: http://drafthousefilms.com/film/roar
This photo provided by Drafthouse Films and Olive Films shows a scene from the film, “Roar," with actor John Marshall surrounded by lions. The movie is releasing in U.S. theaters for the first time on April 17, 2015. (Drafthouse Films/Olive Films via AP)
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Tuesday, March 31, 2015
People With Disabilities from the Misercordia Heart of Mercy House, Are Invited to Watch as Staff At the Brookfield Zoo Give a 450 Pound Lion a Check Up
Brookfield, IL - In a small but state-of-the-art medical room at Brookfield Zoo, this 450-pound lion is about as dangerous as a sleeping house cat. Doctors put Zenda under to give him a good once-over and give people a chance to learn about the animal and conservation.“We look at everything,” said Dr. Michael Adkesson with the Brookfield Zoo. “So we look at him from head to toe on a physical exam, we draw blood for various testing, to look at his organ function. We do a full set of X-rays on him, ultrasound, really everything we can do we take care of him while we got him here.
In addition to making sure the 8-year-old is in good physical shape, the Brookfield Zoo invited a few people over from the Misercordia Heart of Mercy House. It’s a facility that helps people with mental and physical disabilities, and on this day, they are learning about the lion and conservation.
Before they got comfortable shaking hands with the sleeping giant, they admit they were more than just a little nervous.
But within minutes and a few reassuring words from the zoo’s staff, their fear quickly transformed into just plain fun.
“For us to able to share that and showcase the care we provide the animals, as well as the conservation messages behind that, with some really amazing people today, a very neat opportunity,” Adkesson said.
While they may not remember everything they learned about the lion this day, you can bet no one will forget the time they got to try and make the “king of the jungle” purr.
The Brookfield Zoo medical staff says they put Zenda and the other lion under every two years for their checkup and they say he’s in really great shape.
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Thursday, March 19, 2015
A Man Rescued and Raised a Lion Cub in a Wildlife Park: Each Time They Meet the Lion Holds Him in an Affectionate Embrace
The lion cub, Sirga, was rescued from a holding pen established by a farmer, who was tired of shooting animals that preyed on his cattle.
"The lions had already killed two of the three cubs inside the cage. And the mother abandoned the remaining cub. She was very tiny, maybe about 10 days old," said Gruener.
The farmer, Willy de Graaf, asked Gruener to try to save her. He agreed and took her to a wildlife park, financed by de Graaf and became her adoptive mother, "feeding her and taking care of her".
"You have this tiny cute animal sitting there and it's already quite feisty," he says. "It will become about 10 times that size and you will have to deal with it."
She's much bigger now, and when Gruener opens her cage, she still rushes to greet him,- ecstatically throwing her paws around his neck.
"This happens every time I open the door. It is an amazing, and happens every time we meet. It's such a passionate thing for this animal to jump and give me a hug," says Gruener.
"But I guess it makes sense. At the moment she has no other lions with her in the cage and I guess for her I'm like her species. So I'm the only friend she's got. Lions are social cats so she's always happy to see me."
They spend their time hanging out in the Botswana bush, doing the kind of things that cats enjoy, such as lying around under trees, play-fighting, and hunting.
"I don't believe we have to teach the lion to hunt. They have this instinct like a domestic cat or even a dog that will try to hunt. Any cat will catch a bird or a mouse. The lion will catch an antelope when it gets big enough," said Gruener.
"I'm definitely giving her that opportunity to hunt, about three times a week at the moment. Each walk takes five hours - sometimes up to nine. We sort of hunt together and I'm helping to show her how to kill something rather than catch it."
After Sirga's first kill, Gruener wasn't sure if it would still be safe for him to get close to the lion. But "she let me come in", he says.
"It's a bit cruel because she will catch an antelope and hold it down, and when it gets tired she could simply go and bite it in the throat and kill it. But because it's so exciting she's like a cat that keeps on playing with the mouse.
"It's not so lovely to watch when a lion has an antelope in front of her and she's having fun playing with this antelope."
Willy de Graaf has given Gruener two miles or land to create a "miniature park" where Sirga can roam freely, but she will not be released into the wild. Not because she could not survive, Gruener says, but because she has lost her fear of humans.
Under those circumstances she is likely to get too close to humans, and if there is an accident she will end up getting shot. "And that's not really the whole point of raising a lion," said Gruener.
In the park Sirga can live like a wild lion, but remain safe, he says. "That's the plan for her future."
And what of his own future? Gruener has put aside work on a PhD while he has been raising Sirga, and has hardly ever left her alone.
"If she gets into a bigger enclosure with gets more space, then maybe I can get another lion to give her companionship. Then I would be able to leave her for longer periods of time, and I can finish my studies.
"But as long as she needs me, and as long as I feel I want to be there, she I will be my priority.
"I doubt anything will change much between me and her."
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Turning Tables, Chile Zoo Rescues Animals, Cages Visitors
This apparent violation of the number-one rule at most zoos -- don't pet the animals -- is encouraged at Parque Safari in Chile, a sanctuary for mistreated circus animals that turns the traditional zoo-going experience on its head.
To read more on this story, click here: Turning Tables, Chile Zoo Rescues Animals, Cages Visitors
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Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Brave Baby Elephant Survives 14-Lion Attack
A one-year-old elephant survived an attack by 14 lions at Zambia's Norman Carr Safaris Chinzombo Camp. The elephant had strayed from its mother, but after a struggle, he managed to safely flee the lions.The video was captured (and narrated) by journalist Jesse Nash, Long Island University art professor Dan Christoffel, naturalist Steve Baker, and Australian TV star Nina Karnikowski, who were all on a safari when they witnessed the scene, according to the New York Post.
The elephant, nicknamed Hercules by the safari guides, has since been reunited with his family.
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Friday, November 7, 2014
Endangered Asiatic Lion Rescued From Well
The 8-year-old male lion was roaming the property of Badhabhai Rabari at night when it slipped into the open well filled with water. The animal treaded water until forest officials could lower a rope bed into the water for it to stand on. Then, somehow officials managed to get two ropes around the animal and pull it out of the well and into a cage. Caters News Agency has video of the rescue:
To read more on this story, click here: Endangered Asiatic Lion Rescued From Well FOLLOW US!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Notorious Gangster in Romanian Kept Lions and Bears in His Mansion
Press reports, not confirmed by authorities have claimed that Ion Balint - his real name - use the lions to intimidate rivals and victims.
When he rode away from prison on a black stallion in 2010, Balint played up that fearsome image.
"You said I fed men to the lions?" Balint can be heard saying on a tape heard by The Associated Press. "Why don't you come over and I'll give you some lions!"
Authorities won't speculate about why Balint kept lions and bears, as well as thoroughbred horses and canaries, at his high-walled and heavily guarded estate in the poorest part of Bucharest.
"Many untruths are being reported," Balint's son-in-law Marius Vlad told The Associated Press on Wednesday, referring to other rumors of a torture chamber.
Bystanders and relatives who gathered near the gates of the estate described Balint, 48, as a good neighbor and an animal lover, and said they weren't bothered by roaring lions.
"We can hear them every day but only when they're hungry or the female is in heat," said Gabriela Ionescu, 36, robed in a dressing gown and clutching her toddler daughter's hand. "They don't disturb us at all."
Authorities allege that Balint and his brother Vasile headed a criminal network which controlled much of the underworld activity in Bucharest, a city of 2 million. Some 400 police and detectives were involved in the investigation which led to the arrest last week of 67 suspects, including the Balint brothers.
In 2009, Balint was convicted of human trafficking, violence and pimping, and sentenced to 13 years in prison. That was reduced to six years but Balint was free after a year.
On Wednesday, the four lions and two bears were sedated, put in cages and removed Wednesday by environmental authorities and the Vier Pfoten animal welfare charity. The animals, which generally appeared in good condition, will be temporarily housed in a zoo and may be eventually relocated in South Africa, animal welfare officers said.
Mircea Pupaza, commissioner of the National Environment Guard, told The Associated Press that Balint had no documentation or health records for the animals, which he's kept illegally for 10 years. He could face a year in prison and a hefty fine for illegally keeping wild animals.
"The lions are a status symbol for him," said Livia Cimpoeru, a Vier Pfoten spokeswoman. She declined to speculate whether they had a more sinister purpose.
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