Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Lion cubs wrestling on the road block traffic in Kruger National Park


  • Scene captured by husband and wife Anton and Michelle Campbell-Harris
  • Big cats had been sleeping on the sun-warmed tarmac overnight
  • As traffic built up, the pride caused a tailback of excited sightseers
By Tara Brady
A pack of playful lion cubs caused a mini snarl-up by wrestling in the middle of the road. The scene was captured by husband and wife Anton and Michelle Campbell-Harris in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The big cats had been sleeping on the sun-warmed tarmac overnight and weren't yet ready make a move.

Tailbacks: The big cats had been sleeping on the tarmac overnight and weren't yet ready make a move
Tailbacks: The big cats had been sleeping on the tarmac overnight and weren't yet ready make a move


Not budging: Two lion cubs yawn together as others are seen lazying around in the middle of the road
Not budging: Two lion cubs yawn together as others are seen lazying around in the middle of the road


As traffic in the park built up, the pride caused a tailback of excited sightseers.
Mr and Mrs Campbell-Harris captured the scene just before 6am. Mr Campbell-Harris, 47, who runs a real estate company, said: 'We were the only car there at the time and as it was early in the morning they were just waking up. 'We watched as the cubs became more playful - it was difficult to know what to focus on as there was so much activity going on.
 

Cute: Lion cubs play with their mother in the middle of the road blocking traffic in the national park
Cute: Lion cubs play with their mother in the middle of the road blocking traffic in the national park


Play fight: Lion cubs mess around in the middle of the road in Kruger National Park in South Africa
Play fight: Lion cubs mess around in the middle of the road in Kruger National Park in South Africa


Friendly: Lion cubs play with their mother in the middle of the road in the South African national park
Friendly: Lion cubs play with their mother in the middle of the road in the South African national park


'Eventually cars started arriving from the opposite side and the expected traffic jam began.' The couple from Somerset West, Western Cape, in South Africa were celebrating their 26th wedding anniversary with a trip to the park. They were treated to an adorable display as the playful cubs frolicked oblivious to the traffic building up.

Cuddly: The scene was captured by husband and wife Anton and Michelle Campbell-Harris
Cuddly: The scene was captured by husband and wife Anton and Michelle Campbell-Harris


Main attraction: As traffic in the park built up, the pride caused a tailback of excited sightseers in the national park
Main attraction: As traffic in the park built up, the pride caused a tailback of excited sightseers in the national park


This pack of playful lion cubs caused a lot of excitement after they stopped traffic in a South African national park
This pack of playful lion cubs caused a lot of excitement after they stopped traffic in a South African national park


Mr Campbell-Harris said: 'It is difficult to describe the feeling of being with wild animals so close, you feel so privileged and it does wonders for your soul. 'We always feel a connection with the cats - we can say that they don't look at us, but rather look into us.' Mr Campbell-Harris entered the park at 5.30am in the hope of seeing big cats dozing on the warm tar road.

Sibling rivalry: Mr and Mrs Campbell-Harris were delighted to capture this scene of playing lion cubs
Sibling rivalry: Mr and Mrs Campbell-Harris were delighted to capture this scene of playing lion cubs


Mr Campbell-Harris and his wife were the only people there when they came across these cheeky lion cubs
Mr Campbell-Harris and his wife were the only people there when they came across these cheeky lion cubs


Big yawns: A lion cub plays with its mother while they laze in the sunshine in South Africa
Big yawns: A lion cub plays with its mother while they laze in the sunshine in South Africa


Mr Campbell-Harris enjoyed watching the playful cubs frolic obliviously while the traffic was building up
Mr Campbell-Harris enjoyed watching the playful cubs frolic obliviously while the traffic was building up


Two lion cubs and their mother stare directly into the camera to get this shot by Anton Campbell-Harris
Two lion cubs and their mother stare directly into the camera to get this shot by Anton Campbell-Harris


Mr Campbell-Harris said: 'There were some really inquisitive cubs that came right up to our car. 'The lionesses started getting restless and, amazingly, they walked right toward our car and into the grass. We were the only car fortunate enough to have any visual of the little cubby heads above the long grass as they walked away.
The excitement of seeing something in the road as you approach it is not something you can explain. The adrenalin high is what keeps us going back time after time.'

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