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Cape Town - An Australian tourist who was bitten by a lion in the Lion Park near Honeydew, Johannesburg, has admitted that he was in the wrong for rolling down his window.
Netwerk24 reports that Brendan Smith visited the park last week, about 36 hours after arriving in South Africa.
He had been doing a drive through the park with a friend when one of the lions bit him in the thigh.
According to Scott Simpson, spokesperson for the park, Smith was taken to hospital immediately and was discharged on Saturday.
Simpson said that he paid the Aussie a visit shortly after the incident, and that he then admitted that he had broken the rules by opening the vehicle’s window.
There are apparently boards up all over the park warning visitors against opening windows and doors.
All visitors are also given a pamphlet with all the park rules on when entering the premises. It clearly states that all windows should be at least 60% closed when driving through predator camps. It is further stipulated that lion, cheetah, wild dog, hippo, rhino and crocodile are dangerous and unpredictable.
In the meantime Smith posted an update about his attack on Facebook, sharing gruesome pics of his injuries as well as a short description of what happened. He has obviously managed to keep good spirits, however, as he says: "Could have and should have been a lot worse but chicks dig scars so I'll be sweet!"
Friends responded to his post with disbelief and well wish and many have taken to calling him 'Lion Man.'
"OMFG!!!!! that is crazy. take care those wounds, Lion man!" said Rocio Rivas Silva, while Mandy Bruggink said "Blimey Brendan you certainly are like Indiana Jones! Hope you heal quickly with no lasting effects. Sending you big hugs. Xx"
The post got 256 'Likes' and was shared 20 times.
He followed up the original post with a new one of him with his foot up, watching cricket. "A positive about being couch ridden is that I get to put my feet up and watch the Aussies claim world cup glory..always a silver lining."
Smith's attack comes just a few weeks after a video of a lion opening a car door went viral. Both incidents serve as proof that wild animals should never be underestimated, no matter how tame they may seem.
