Lion Jumps in Car and Mauls Man on Safari

Brendan Smith in better times

Australian tourist Brendan Smith got a lot more up close and personal with the wildlife than he expected while on safari in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Just a day and a half after arriving in Joburg, Smith was on a safari when a lion jumped through the window of his car and started mauling his legs.

Though it must have been a terrifying experience, somehow Smith has had a sense of humor about it: “No later than 36 hours after touching down in Africa, I find myself in hospital after a lion jumped through the car window and decided to go to town on my legs,” he wrote on Facebook. “Pretty full-on but am alive, with insurance coming to the party and an influx of curious Africans wanting to see ‘the lion man.’”

It’s unclear what caused the lion to approach the car and attack Smith. Basic safari safety rules include staying in the car, refraining from sticking anything out of the car, and keeping your windows rolled up. In some safari parks and areas, animals can become habituated to seeing vehicles and are less afraid to approach them. Just recently a shocking video emerged of a lion on safari opening a tourist’s car door with her mouth. No one was injured in that incident.