Following the viral flow of threatening pictures on different social media platforms of a bodaboda rider who slippery lost his bearings in front of the lion’s amidst Queen Elizabeth National Park, the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has cleared the air on the fate of the careless biker.
There have been alleged false circulating information that lions starved and eaten the bodaboda rider but according to UWA’s classified report, he survived.
The careless rider was nevertheless advised by game rangers not to use the road through the perimeters of the park but he therefore insisted and landed into the man eaters that had taken over the road.
The motorcyclist who was carrying excessive bunches of matooke (bananas) lost his bearings, lost control over the motorcycle and found himself down on the ground, he hurriedly ran into hidings behind the tour vans but unfortunately lions were also their relaxed.
The tourist vehicles that were full of tourists watching the lions saved the day and rider managed to survive.
In a press release by Bashir Hangi of UWA, he cautioned that it’s important to note that wildlife behavior can be unpredictable, and therefore it is important to obey rules and regulations set by the park. He stated that there have been instances in the past where wild animals, including lions, have acted aggressively towards humans in various national parks around the world and therefore it is important make wise decisions while using the roads through the park.
National parks typically have guidelines and safety measures in place to protect both visitors and wildlife. The Queen Elizabeth National Park in Western Uganda is one of the parks with public roads and users of these roads must take caution.
There is no factual basis to support the claim that lions in the national parks of Uganda, including Queen Elizabeth National Park, eat passengers who trespass. Lions are wild animals and can be dangerous if they feel threatened or cornered, but they do not have a history of specifically targeting trespassers or humans in general as a food source.
Trespassing in such areas is not only dangerous but also illegal. It was by chance that he survived from being eaten by the lions as he finally jumped on the tourist vehicle where the tourists had stopped and taking pictures to the lions.
Attention all trespassers crossing through the territory of the lions in Queen Elizabeth National Park.
This is a serious warning to all individuals who dare to venture into the territory of the lions within Queen Elizabeth National Park without an authentic permission from the ground game rangers. These majestic and powerful creatures are wild and territorial animals, and your presence within their domain poses a significant threat to both your safety and the well-being of the lions.
Please take this warning seriously, and let us all play a part in safeguarding the beauty and diversity of not only Queen Elizabeth National Park but the entire parks of Uganda for generations to come.