Lions, Topi and an Airplane
Lions, Topi, and an airplane:This is a most unusual event--the plane is unable to land because of the presemce of a herd of topi who will not leave because of the lions on the runway. The airplane has buzzed both lion and topi several times! And the Topi will not leave until the lions leave (remainder of pride is at the edge of the runway). Ordinarily, one would expect that the topi would be frightened by the plane and flee after one low buzz, but they have the lions where they can see them, and they do not want to go into the high grass where they could not see in which direction the lions might head. Each time the plane buzzed the big male lion, his only response was simply to lower his head. The plane had to land. We ended the stalemate by chasing the lions off with our vehicles. When they left, the topi fled in the opposite direction, and the plane landed safely. [Seronara, Serengeti, Tanzania].