Lion around: Kruger National Park's lions nap on road during lockdown

South Africa has also reported a decrease of rhinoceros poaching

Kruger National Park's lions are enjoying a much quieter April. Courtesy Kruger National Park / Twitter

Perhaps emboldened by animals around the world reclaiming deserted cities as their own as humans spend weeks in lockdown, a pride of lions in South Africa appear to be enjoying life without tourists.

The coronavirus pandemic has relegated millions into their homes for weeks on end, meaning wildlife across the world have taken to straying further into areas usually populated with people.

This week, a brown bear paid a visit to a sky tram station in Turkey, while earlier earlier this month a herd of goats romped around the town of Llandudno in Wales munching on foliage in gardens and hotel carparks.

In India, hundreds of monkeys have taken over the streets in New Delhi, and in Mumbai, peacocks were seen perched on top of parked cars.

So it's only natural then, that in South Africa, some of the world's wildest animals are making the most of this time without cars, tour buses and crowds. Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s largest game reserves, shared pictures of a lion pride taking a nap on a road near an area far from where they usually frequent.

The pride are usually residents of Kempiana Contractual Park, "an area Kruger tourists do not see", the park said in a tweet.

Kruger is well known for its high density of wild animals, including the Big 5: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalos.

On Friday, South Africa's Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries reported a decrease of rhinoceros poaching during the lockdown.

South Africa on Wednesday extended its nationwide lockdown for two weeks, which has severely affected a country heavily reliant on its tourism industry.

So, with the disappearance of tourists, Kruger has created a new way to go on safari from the comfort of your own home.

Streamed twice daily, the park now offers personalised wildlife drives that you can view online.

Lasting around three hours, the drives are streamed in real-time from two of South Africa's most regarded private reserves: &Beyond Ngala Private Game Reserve and Djuma Private Game Reserve.

Hosted by experts, the drives are streamed on social media every day during April.

___________________

Read more:

___________________