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Agence France-Presse

A safari park in South America is caging humans instead of animals to give thrill seekers a chance to tickle a lion’s belly – albeit from the safety of a cage mounted on a truck.
Atop the cage, lured by a slap of fresh red meat, is the mighty heaving feline.

Welcome to the Parque Safari in Rancagua in central Chile, where vehicles take visitors on a drive through a 2-hectare enclosure that is home to six lions.
Travellers ride inside the caged-in back of the truck.

Then it’s up to the lions to decide what they feel like doing: ambling up for a sniff, climbing atop to eat the meat and look at the cowering humans below, or even lying down for a rest.
Then, just stick a brave finger through the metal grates and there you are, touching the king of the jungle’s tummy.

Parque Safari is the first of its kind in Chile and one of few in Latin America.
The idea is for people to see animals in their natural habitat, in effect with people caged up rather than the majestic animals themselves.



Lions roam free at safari park as visitors sit in cages for close-up experience

Schoolchildren get a close-up view of a male African lion. Photo: AFP

The 2-hectare enclosure is home to six lions. 

Parque Safari is the first of its kind in Chile and one of few in Latin America. Photo: AFP

The idea is for people to see animals in their natural habitat. Photo: AFP

Travellers ride inside the caged-in back of the truck, close enough to smell the lion's breath. Photo: AFP

News

World

A safari park in South America is caging humans instead of animals to give thrill seekers a chance to tickle a lion’s belly – albeit from the safety of a cage mounted on a truck.
