Lions Take Advantage Of South Africa Lockdown And Nap On Empty Road

Richard Sowry via Twitter | @SANParksKNP

By Caitlyn Clancey, Diply

You know how your cat likes to sleep just about anywhere and everywhere? Well, apparently the same can be said for much bigger cats. Like lions.

According to BBC News, lions in South Africa have been taking advantage of the country's lockdown and were recently spotted taking a little catnap on an empty road.

Because apparently, the lion sleeps on tarmac tonight. (Pause for laughter, continue.)

The sleepy cats were spotted in Kruger National Park this week by Park Ranger Richard Sowry.

Richard Sowry via Twitter | @SANParksKNP

Usually that road would be filled with cars full of tourists. But ever since the coronavirus hit, the park, much like most other wildlife parks, has been shut down, and people have retreated to their own homes to self-isolate.

Which means there's suddenly a whole stretch of empty space fitting for a pride of heavy-eyed lions.

Sowry said the cats didn't seem to be bothered at all while he snapped pictures of the incredible sight.

Richard Sowry via Twitter | @SANParksKNP

He made sure to keep his vehicle a safe distance from the lions, who were all mostly fast asleep during their photo shoot.

"Lions are used to people in vehicles," Sowry explained. "All animals have much more of an instinctive fear of people on foot, so if I had walked up they would never have allowed me to get so close."

But why did the lions want to sleep on the road and not somewhere more comfortable, like in the grass?

Well, it turns out it had rained quite a bit the night before, and as Sowry explained, "The tar was drier than the grass at the time — big cats and water don't mix."

Sowry's photos of the lions' unusual catnap were posted to the park's official Twitter account where they have since received well over 11,000 likes and nearly 4,000 retweets from lion lovers and admirers.

Apparently the cats have napped on the park's roads before, but usually only on colder nights when they seek out the warmth of the tarmac.

Kruger visitors that tourists do not normally see. #SALockdown This lion pride are usually resident on Kempiana Contractual Park, an area Kruger tourists do not see. This afternoon they were lying on the tar road just outside of Orpen Rest Camp.
📸Section Ranger Richard Sowry pic.twitter.com/jFUBAWvmsA

— Kruger National Park (@SANParksKNP) April 15, 2020

"Kruger is a very wild place," Sowry said. "It has been wild and it is still wild."

Kruger media officer Isaac Phaala added, "Normally [the lions] would be in the bushes because of the traffic but they are very smart and now they are enjoying the freedom of the park without us."

See more at: Diply