British Journalist Charles Starmer Smith Mauled by a Caged Lion

[kellyhound]

Charles Starmer Smith of Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper thought it would be a good idea to enter a lion cage in a South African sanctuary.

Fortunately he brought along a camera crew to teach the world that messing around with wild animals is dangerous enough for professionals, and probably insane for amateurs.

Smith chose to enter the cage of a 1-year-old lion named Mapimpan who had been raised to be released into the wild.

The sanctuary's lion expert, Arrie, was in the cage with Mapimpan when Smith entered.

Immediately the playful cat was interested in its new guest who seemed cool under the pressure.

Arrie entered the pen, as the cameras began to roll.
Heart surging, I slipped inside and the gate locked behind me.

I approached slowly and bent down to stroke Mapimpan’s wiry underbelly.

It pawed at my shoes, rolling on to its back. “He likes you,” said Arrie with a smile.

I began to relax, chuckling with disbelief.
Then Mapimpan emitted a low growl as it circled around me. “Remember it just wants to play,” said Arrie, sensing my fear.

That was when the lion clamped its jaws around my calf, its teeth sinking into my flesh.

It rose on to its haunches, towering above me and
I was spun into a waltz with a 300lb predator – as I pushed desperately at its throat to keep away its jaws.
This did not feel like playing.

With a series of fierce clips to Mapimpan’s nose Arrie managed to get it to release me.

I had to fight the overwhelming urge to run. But I remembered Arrie’s warning.

So I stood there motionless, my heart thudding, my lungs gasping for air.

Mapimpan seemed to be more docile now. I exhaled with relief.

But then it slipped back through Arrie’s legs, and was on me again, its teeth bared as it lunged towards my neck.

I raised my forearm to divert its jaws from my face, then felt razor-sharp teeth ripping into my shoulder.

[Mad Child]

"He's just playing... it's just that he's so friggin' strong."

Exactly. My cat does the exact same thing as this lion; the only difference is that he isn't strong enough to overpower and do any real damage to me.

Best to leave the big pussy cats alone.

[dendog]

moral of the story... dont get into a fuckin lion cage and start trying to act cool when obviously your shit scared... or the lion will maul ya... lucky guy... could have been a lot worse...

[Operior]

Why people do that?In my opinion is luck of respect.The fact that its an animal dosent make you master off it or better.A leesons humans never learned.

[mrschyde]

killl the effin homo's I'ts GOD'S will

[loyal12]

I work with big cats. He has no idea how lucky he is to still be talking. Lions move from play to attack mode in a second. He is lucky this lion didnt maul him. Not smart to play with a big cat, unless you know what you are doing and you know the cat.

[BIGS]

LOL i love his atitude at the end of it

[Tickbaby]

Don't fuck with a lion man.

[Zurria]

That trainer handled the situation well for the most part in my opinion. Although saying the lion is "just playing" is pretty much lying to that guy..

[StiffyWood]

Don't hit the fucking Lion, douchbag, if you fucking play with a Lion, you should get mauled.