Oct. 21 (UPI) — A driver on a South African road captured video of the moment a lion escaped from a transport truck’s roof hatch and made a flying leap to temporary freedom.
A video circulated on social media Monday shows the lion riding atop the trailer after managing to escape through a roof hatch on the R49 road near Bakerville, between Lichtenburg and Zeerust.
The truck pulls over to the side of the road and the lion leaps from atop the truck, lands next to the pavement and walks onto the road.
Anton Nel, a veterinarian with the Lichtenburg Animal Hospital, said the lion was in transit to a game farm in Nietverdiend when it escaped.
Nel said the lion was still under the influence of the tranquilizer it had been given prior to transport when he and other responders located it in the grass under a tree.
The lion was darted and safely loaded for transport to the game farm. Nel said he examined the big cat and found it had a ripped nail and minor scrapes, but no serious injuries.
The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism said the escape is under investigation. The probe is also looking into whether all of the proper permits were filed and procedures followed for legal transportation of the animal.
Pat Loots, the purported owner of the lion, said the animal arrived at the game farm safely.