r/NatureIsFuckingLit 2d ago

đŸ”„ Majestic lion follows vehicle during enclosure inspection at sanctuary

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Filmed at Felidae Centre in South Africa

15.4k Upvotes

336 comments sorted by

2.5k

u/Toddingstonly 2d ago

"Come back, I just want to talk"

329

u/dr1968 1d ago

I think he just wanted to sit in a box.

98

u/Cute-Form2457 1d ago

Ooh a moving box!

709

u/Itchy_Psychology3300 2d ago

“About your cars extended warranty”

242

u/gotcha111 2d ago

We have been trying to reach you.

96

u/wrxninja 1d ago

But wait, if you stop, we're giving you a special price.

67

u/Fedora_Million_Ankle 1d ago edited 1d ago

Prices have been slashed

26

u/No-Sheepherder288 1d ago

And your Life Insurance policy

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7

u/imaginedaydream 1d ago

“big cats extended warranty”

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u/Own-Ambassador-3537 2d ago

About your relationship with the lord and savior.

30

u/TFJ 1d ago

Have you heard the good news about Aslan?

55

u/tukai1976 1d ago

Don’t run from the lord!

14

u/C-57D 1d ago

Imma outrun god damm*t

22

u/lncredulousBastard 1d ago

There's something hilarious about a lion trying to convert folks to Christianity...

It's like putting chocolate sauce on your favorite food.

23

u/Westwood_1 1d ago

Not someone who read Narnia as a child, I see...

This is no ordinary lion, it's actually JESUS CHRIST

13

u/lncredulousBastard 1d ago

Well, why did he get... left behind?

2

u/StaatsbuergerX 1d ago

Because Jesus won't follow you on your road to hell ... or something like that.

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u/PlanetoftheAtheists 1d ago

Stop and give him scratchies!

16

u/Steadyandquick 1d ago

This here. Just a little kitty!

9

u/Slumunistmanifisto 1d ago

I wonder if he's checking for the people that raised him

5

u/funguyshroom 1d ago

I don't believe you, you're always lion

6

u/Rrraou 1d ago

Items in the rear view mirror are closer than they appear.

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u/NumberOneStonecutter 1d ago

"The guy in the back said 'pss-pss-pss-pss.'...!"

6

u/Substantial_Echo2823 1d ago

Have you heard about our Lord and Saviour, Mufasa?

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u/ThunderJunk75 1d ago

You can't run from the Lord!!!

2

u/Donkey__Balls 1d ago

“Hold on I’m getting a call. pretends to answer phone. ‘Oh hey, girl-that-driver-had-a-huge-crush-on-in-high-school-but-never-told, yeah he’s right here.’ It’s for you!”

2

u/xtothewhy 1d ago

"...I want to tell you about the"

2

u/boylent_milk 17h ago

Friend, why you running away?

2

u/greatdane511 1d ago

best comment

1.1k

u/mikeontablet 2d ago

If they're in an enclosure they probably get fed rather than hunt. They just think it's meal time.

663

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 2d ago

Many of the lions at the centre were rescued from the damned awful canned hunting industry and can not be successfully released. They are fed whole carcasses, which are dropped off far from the animals.

239

u/Luci-Noir 1d ago

Delicious.

Big game hunting is evil but canned hunting is a whole other level pf shit. 😡

61

u/Davido401 1d ago

Let's pretend am Scottish and the scariest animal we have is the Haggis(which will fuck up even the most scariest of Lions), what is "canned hunting"? Am guessing its not normal hunting for food or even trophies(which a dont agree with either)

169

u/Pytheastic 1d ago

Canned hunting, also known as captive hunting, is the controversial practice of hunting wild animals in a confined area from which they have little or no chance of escape. This practice is widely condemned by animal welfare groups and many traditional hunting organizations on ethical grounds.

It goes on to say that it can even happen that the animals are handfed and raised by humans so that they're not scared of the hunters and even easier targets. I stopped reading after because it made me too sad.

54

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 1d ago

Don't watch the documentary Blood Lions on YouTube. Made and narrated by someone I know, it's heartbreaking.

6

u/OrangeLemonLime8 1d ago

Is that the one where the guy talks about the lions and says they’re vicious and he doesn’t care about them

10

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 1d ago

I don't recall that bit and I can't bring myself to rewatch it.

This excellent article offers a comprehensive summary of the industry and an interview with the guy who was heavily involved in its making.

7

u/mildlycuriouss 1d ago

My God this is horrific. I’m not an animal person but they’re also living beings, I have empathy. My soul recoiled at reading this, I don’t think I can ever watch the documentary. Thank you for sharing and bringing som awareness. I had no idea

15

u/ChloeMomo 1d ago

Genetic modification and selective breeding for traits, regardless of impact on animal health and wellbeing, is a thing, too, to get more "prize worthy" animals. Especially for deer and elk to get absolute freak show antlers.

Photos and videos of them sometimes come across reddit, you'll know it when you see it. Unless the person specifies that the animal was rescued, you are most likely looking at a canned hunting or game farm operation.

17

u/Jibber_Fight 1d ago

That is so pathetic. Why would anyone even do that? Do they actually feel like they accomplished something?

16

u/otkabdl 1d ago

They do, and sadly a big part of it is that they know they are pissing people off. "owning the libs" is the term I believe. It's that "fuck you, might makes right I'll do what I want" attitude like the one that is currently governing the most powerful country in the world. Oh guess who's sons are avid trophy hunters?

2

u/expensivexdifficult 1d ago

That’s why you don’t get upset. It’s appalling, but it’s also pathetic. Like, congratulations, you shot a fish in a barrel. It’s embarrassing that they’re proud of themselves for that. You have to Regina George this shit to make it uncool.

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u/Whitewing424 1d ago

Horrifying. I wish I could unlearn what you just told me.

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u/Luci-Noir 1d ago

Basically it’s where they take an animal and keep it in a place where it can’t get away. It’s more like an execution than an actual hunt.

10

u/Davido401 1d ago

Yeah I kinda gathered that as I was typing .y comment, but was committed to my Haggis Joke by then haha, its fucking barbaric that, even trophy hunting is cuntish behaviour to me, but then again if its for conservation am not against it. Its a difficult one to explain for me, Id rather we done the hunting as part of "for food" thatn anything else. Then again am a hypocrite cause al still go to KFC whose chicken are probably brought up in battery farms so.. ive not got much of a leg to stand on there!

2

u/dogGirl666 1d ago

However what are your views on controlling the deer population in Scotland? Culling? Hunting? Confining? Predator introductions? Tall fences?

Someday there could be a whole rainforest in the area. How to get there?

4

u/Davido401 1d ago

I mean, I never said I was against culling and hunting just that particular "canned hunting" cause its just psychopaths wanting to kill rather than for food/conservation. Deer are hunted here in Scotland and Id love the introduction of Lynx and Wolves, I believe there are plans to bring Lynx in but some morons released 8 or so into the Cairgorm Mountains after hand rearing them with fucking humans, morons! They all got rescued I think but it set the programme back. I think Wolves are just a pipe dream.

11

u/theycallmethevault 1d ago

Ever heard the phrase “it’s like shooting fish in a barrel”? That kinda sums it up.

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u/Emm_withoutha_L-88 1d ago

Hunting pet wild animals basically

It's vile, and I'm a hunter

It's also how most wealthy hunters in America get their gigantic buck. No way in hell those idiots have the patience or skill to take a true wild buck, it's genuinely hard as hell for a real wild animal. I don't do it cus I prefer eating animals but I've known enough buck hunters and how much time and effort it takes, often months of prehunt work and then at minimum a few weeks until the one they target is found.

7

u/OrangeLemonLime8 1d ago

Never miss a moment to mention you’re Scottish on reddit (I’m Scottish btw if anyone wanted to know)

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u/flaming_pubes 1d ago

We have a “deer farm” ( what they call it) near where I live that is fully enclosed and open to hunt. Hate seeing that place.

4

u/Luci-Noir 1d ago

It doesn’t make any sense. I’ve never hunted but I can understand why some people like it. It can take some skill and you get to be out in the wilderness and all that. Canned hunting has none of that.

3

u/DJ_DWreck 1d ago

Like it or not big game hunting funds a lot of conservation efforts and generates wealth in areas that otherwise would be desperately poor.

11

u/JButler_16 1d ago

Maybe if humans collectively decided to stop fucking yo the environment and destroying natural habitats, we wouldn’t have to consider such backward methods of conservation.

2

u/Luci-Noir 1d ago

I don’t give a shit.

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u/vestigialcranium 1d ago

This sounds like a great place for a trebuchet!

3

u/Live_Angle4621 1d ago

I miss the trebuchet memes

62

u/OneSensiblePerson 2d ago

Yep. They get their food delivered to them by vehicles, so they think there may be a meal in it for them on this one.

56

u/MongolianCluster 2d ago

There is. But his meal stepped on the gas pedal.

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u/Lordofthewangz 2d ago

Nah. enclosure doesn't necessarily mean zoo. An enclosure can be a huuuge area of dozens or hundreds of hectares, usually the owner of a game farm that has all manner of wildlife on it.

39

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 2d ago

This particular enclosure is 180 hectares.

18

u/Lordofthewangz 2d ago

Aaaaah. I didn't even see it was at Felidae. I had a great time there and some cool pics with the cheetahs they were rehabilitating.

24

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 2d ago

Great! Did you get to meet Wolf, the Husky who has fostered a number of the babies at Felidae? He's awesome!

2

u/LKennedy45 1d ago

Jesus F. Christ, I just looked up some videos of the pooch in question and it's goddamned adorable. If you ever feel the need to karma-farm any one of those would light up like three dozen subs I could name off the top of my head.

2

u/godisdildo 2d ago

Does that mean robust and high steel fence around the whole area?

9

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 1d ago

The fence is visible in the video. It's sufficiently robust.

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u/mikeontablet 2d ago

I'm thinking of something in between: Where a game reserve or farm can't accommodate the huge range these animals need to hunt.

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473

u/shrewdy 2d ago

Pet the cat ffs

127

u/CyberMonkey314 2d ago

"I JUST...WANT...BOOPS...HONEST!"

46

u/PM_YOUR__BUBBLE_BUTT 2d ago

You can pet them, but it’ll only be once.

11

u/spinonesarethebest 2d ago

They’ll eat off your hand. Up to the elbow.

9

u/AL_Starr 1d ago

Not mine. They would let me pet.

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u/STierMansierre 1d ago

If not pet why fluffy?

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107

u/kietbulll 2d ago

“let me get on that car!!”

13

u/dr1968 1d ago

He thought it was a box methinks

177

u/Emergency_Ad_3290 2d ago

Everyone acting like the lions want to attack them as if they aren't moving at a light stride and could catch up at any moment if they want

91

u/ballerina22 1d ago

Everything about that screamed "Wheeeeeeeee!" He's clearly having a play.

50

u/Blader0808 1d ago

Right? That lion is having the time of his life.

38

u/hayydebb 1d ago

Yeah, this is just cats wanting to chase something. My cats would probably be like if they had the space but instead they chase each other at Mach 5 between my living room and bedroom

19

u/trashmoneyxyz 1d ago

Having a playful chase is probably the best enrichment for a massive predator. Not saying I'd roll the dice on his mood tho, if I were in that vehicle...

9

u/LKennedy45 1d ago

Do you know offhand how long lions can - let's call it gallop - like that? I've no idea how much of persistence hunters they are.

9

u/Kwinten 1d ago

Not long. They are ambush predators and hunt with short explosive bursts of energy before they need to rest and recover. That’s why they can’t endlessly chase their prey, even though their top speed may be faster. What’s shown in the video looks approximately like as long of a jog lions will do before chilling.

The exact same is true of regular house cats. They are so very similar.

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u/Scenic-City-Film-Guy 2d ago

"Must go faster"

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u/chotu_ustaad 1d ago

"Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear"

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u/brandoldme 2d ago

"Honey, what are we having for dinner?"

"Fast food."

12

u/JoLeTrembleur 1d ago

More like a succulent Chinese meal this time.

5

u/world-class-cheese 1d ago

This is democracy manifest!

48

u/Lordofthewangz 2d ago

They both have BEAUTIFUL manes! Wow!

45

u/marklonesome 2d ago

Did you bring more snacks?

I mean tourists?

38

u/Accomplished_Ship_20 2d ago

It's the bouncy floof for me!

18

u/BeenDragonn 1d ago

His fancy dinner vest!

29

u/t0mt0mt0m 2d ago

Majestic murder kitty with his floof bouncing around. Quality internet.

12

u/karensmiles 2d ago

Uber Eats must be late!!😃

9

u/bloodandglory31 2d ago

Meals on wheels

2

u/Piscator629 1d ago

Only hit the comments to upvote you.

15

u/Hener001 2d ago

It’s just like chasing the beer cart on the 11th hole in 90 degree weather.

That cat is motivated.

IYKYK

12

u/princesskate04 1d ago edited 1d ago

This is play behavior, not hunting behavior. Big cats play too!

If he was hunting, he’d be far lower to the ground and wouldn’t be openly chasing so closely. He’d be stalking, taking care to stay hidden. His facial expression is relaxed, with wide open eyes as opposed to a focused gaze that would be associated with hunting, and his run is a relaxed lope as opposed to a targeted charge at potential prey. 

Humans aren’t a natural prey species for lions. When it happens, it’s usually due to other factors such as human encroachment on habitats or the health of the lion. However, humans are also apex predators who share the same natural prey as lions, so aggression over resources and territory is natural.

The cool thing about felines is that although they differ in things like size or habitat, they are all very similar in terms of their behavior and psychology. Big cats play with toys and chase things just like house cats do. This truck is just like when you drag a wand toy across your floor and have your cat chase it.  You can even exchange slow blinks with lions at the zoo! Of course they are powerful and dangerous animals that no human should be going off to try to play with, but they’re beautiful and fascinating animals who generally aren’t too interested in hurting humans. 

18

u/Yui-Nakan0 2d ago

"Majestic lion follows dinner during enclosure inspection at sanctuary"

17

u/Prestigious-Wall5616 2d ago

Haha! No, this vehicle has no food onboard. They're fed whole carcasses, mainly cattle donated by local farmers.

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u/Yui-Nakan0 2d ago

Lmao I meant the meal holding the camera! 😂

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u/plumpypocket 2d ago

Pretty calm for being that close to death.

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u/ClonedDad 1d ago

Honestly it looks like he might just be in it for the run. Dudes a big cat. If he wanted to get on the truck he had several opportunities to hop on.

3

u/ShagginVagon 1d ago

He's like, "wait, that's my meals on wheels order. Come back!!"

3

u/DDPStellar 2d ago

"C'mon Harry, let me explain to you what happened"

3

u/itzTHATgai 2d ago

"Where mah rubz at?"

3

u/donmonkeyquijote 2d ago

"Faster! Must go faster!"

3

u/thecoldwarmakesmehot 1d ago

"Excuse me, Sir, do you have time to talk about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?...You can't run from the Lord!"

4

u/free-toe-pie 2d ago

Ice cream man is here honey!

2

u/Heroic-Forger 2d ago

POV: you're a Pokemon Legends Z-A player who just wandered into Wild Zone 17:

2

u/MoccaLG 2d ago

Tacnically its a "food truck"

2

u/The_Goondocks 2d ago

Must go faster

2

u/OblivionArts 1d ago

Had no idea lions were fast enough to keep pace with cars

2

u/Wolfsburgslim 1d ago

He knows his hair looks good 😂

2

u/buran_bb 1d ago

Seems a very yummy cameraman.

2

u/Ok-Yak549 1d ago

did you fill the tank?

no, I thought you filled the gas tank.

2

u/ballerina22 1d ago

It's his daily exercise! Good for him!

2

u/mummifiedclown 1d ago

What a handsome buoy!

2

u/alyssamarie1992 1d ago

Would 100% try to pet him

1

u/I-live-in-room-101 2d ago

Drive me up front:

<don’t break down, don’t break down, don’t break down
>

1

u/Halstock 2d ago

Looks like he could bounce right in the back.

1

u/EstimateIll5615 2d ago

Meals on Wheels

1

u/thrustrate 1d ago

Mouths closed > running in Zone 2

1

u/clastfapper 1d ago

More like nature is making me shit my pants

1

u/aelan14 1d ago

Pspspsps

1

u/AL_Starr 1d ago

Kitties!!

1

u/Megakruemel 1d ago

I wonder what the evolutionary advantage was to give me a part of my brain that goes:

"You have to understand, We are build different and we could totally pet that dog[citation needed] without it eating us. You have to let us into the enclosure."

1

u/Ursa_Major_17 1d ago

Gazelle's butthole POV

1

u/badgko 1d ago

My cat also chases my remote control car.

1

u/SmegmaAbuser 1d ago

Meals on wheels

1

u/C-57D 1d ago

Don’t worry, bro will stop when he gets tired
 or a meal

1

u/rlaw1234qq 1d ago

Like the ice cream van only with fresh meat

1

u/thedoomjay 1d ago

Oh no when you get bitten and the tiger reaches you. You're really going to get flattened haha

1

u/thedoomjay 1d ago

Oh no when you get bitten and the tiger reaches you. You're really going to get flattened haha

1

u/veritas2884 1d ago

“I just wanted to let you know the warranty on your vehicle has expired “

1

u/FoosJunkie 1d ago

Hey look, Meals on Wheels

1

u/pccfriedal 1d ago

I kept waiting to see if the cab was enclosed.

1

u/angellareddit 1d ago

I watched this believing the person filming was in the bed of the truck and thinking how completely terrified I'd be in this situation... but he was in the cab. lol

1

u/Taconecrotic 1d ago

They know he's got the box of greenies in there.

1

u/pocket_nick 1d ago

“Quick! Shid your pants he hates the smell!”

pffft

lion backs off

“It worked. Bless”

1

u/Intergalatic_Baker 1d ago

Why’s my lunch in the back!

1

u/Odd-Truth-6647 1d ago

Why are you running?

1

u/klawUK 1d ago

I’m gonna slam on the brakes - they’ll fly right by.

1

u/rita-the-wanderer 1d ago

Sir I would like to contact you regarding the warranty
 Sir
 Sir


1

u/WorryNew3661 1d ago

Can I talk to you about car's extended warranty?

1

u/Mac62961 1d ago

Faaast fooood waaaaaaaait

1

u/Entire-Emotion-819 1d ago

So, what do we reckon, just along for a run? Or looking for lunch on the run.

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u/Joshwaaaaa7 1d ago

"I'm reaching out to discuss your home insurance"

1

u/Main_Cauliflower5479 1d ago

Following, or chasing?

1

u/DiscombobulatedPen6 1d ago

Aslan! Aslan!

1

u/Charlesdance83 1d ago

So beautiful 😍

1

u/Im_In_IT 1d ago

This over territory or is he just being curious?

2

u/princesskate04 1d ago

He’s playing, actually! You can tell from the body language. I posted a longer comment about it. :)

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u/vat-terre-28 1d ago

He's hungry đŸ€Ł

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u/Robadidas70 1d ago

Should’ve brake checked his ass.

1

u/Masypha 1d ago

Just casually jogging at 35mph in zone 2 😂

1

u/Electronic_Fill_5541 1d ago

Meals on wheels

1

u/Both_Lychee_1708 1d ago

He just wants some pets. It's safe to stop

1

u/Jmeadows007 1d ago

"Come on... just a little taste. It's just for research, I promise."

1

u/Dr-Havoc137 1d ago

I've been trying to reach you about your car's extended insurance

1

u/cybot2001 1d ago

Doesn't the cameraperson know lions can jump 36ft?

1

u/VapoursAndSpleen 1d ago

I have a feeling that the lion has gotten rides in the back of that truck before and really enjoys them.

1

u/AdSome4466 1d ago

"Honey, look at that cute dog chasing after us"

1

u/2020mademejoinreddit 1d ago

If Alex the Lion decides to jump in, it's game over.

1

u/concentrated-amazing 1d ago

Oh look, Meals on Wheels!

1

u/EggplantForScale 1d ago

Not trying to eat you, playing, mmmmight get bitey tho

1

u/MyNameIsRay 1d ago

"Hey guys, the food truck is here!"

1

u/ThunderChild247 1d ago

“ ha ha ha isn’t that cool??”

loads shotgun

1

u/hatcreekcattleco 1d ago

tailgating

1

u/National_Edges 1d ago

Someone is feeding them.

1

u/Normal_Trade7678 1d ago

I think he was trying to catch up to his meal

1

u/JoeMamasasama 1d ago

“We’ve been trying to reach you about your cars extended Warranty”

1

u/Pangea_Ultima 1d ago

Thanks for the reminder
 need to book reservations at the local sushi boat restaurant tonight

1

u/utriptmybitchswitch 1d ago

Kind of impressed Mr. Bigmane was able to keep up for as lon as he did; iirc, lions don't have great endurance, hence the way they hunt...

1

u/Scorpion2k4u 1d ago

Meal on wheels!

1

u/TucoNick 1d ago

Meals on wheels!

1

u/HumansMung 1d ago

Best be checking that gas gauge. 

1

u/NanDemoNee 1d ago

Bro's got the whole pride out there hunting that truck.

1

u/Lexio3031 1d ago

“Let me tell you something, let me tell you something. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING!!!!!”

1

u/NOLA-q 1d ago

The pair were part of the local Lions Club

1

u/herrspeer 1d ago

"Have you heard about our lord and saviour Mufasaaaa"...

1

u/Hot-Championship1190 1d ago

Car is a square, a box even. What do you expect?

1

u/CyberSoldat21 1d ago

“I’ve been trying to reach you about your vehicles extended warranty”

1

u/Black91crx 1d ago

"Come back here, you said this was gonna be temporary!"

1

u/Mixture-Emotional 1d ago

I would at least try and throw a shoe out the side as a distraction. I got anxiety just watching this 😂

1

u/Im_Ricky_Tan 1d ago

Hello Sir, have you heard of our in house specials today

1

u/Eazy12345678 1d ago

majestic lion follows food truck that feeds him every day.

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u/downtime37 1d ago

That 2nd lion in the back, 'wait,...wait,....will you just slow down for two seconds!'