Lions Bring Traffic To Standstill On Nairobi's Busiest Route

daniel russell

February 20, 2015 12:41 PM

Two lions brought rush-hour traffic to a standstill in Nairobi, Kenya when they decided to be playful in the middle the street.

It was during the morning commute on the edge of the Nairobi National Park that two young males appeared on the side of the road and strolled out in front of cars and trucks for a roll-around.

The Kenyan lions' antics caused tail backs as they found the busy road the perfect place to rub themselves in buffalo feces.

Amateur South African photographer Gareth Jones was one of the drivers stuck in the traffic jam last month and decided to get out and photograph the unique scene at 6.40am.

Gareth, originally from South Africa now living in Kenya, said: ‘I had only driven about 500 metres when the shapes of two big male lions could be seen in the road. ‘They went into a ridiculous pose, with their rear ends up in the air and their faces down over some buffalo dung. They were trying to mask their smell so they could hunt undetected. ‘They both looked like they were enjoying themselves and it was an incredible start to the day.’

Nairobi National Park opened in 1946. It is located just over four miles from the Kenyan capital’s city centre and its skyscrapers can be seen from within the protected area.

The park is home to a wild range of species, including giraffes, leopards, wildebeest and hippos.

The closeness to the city proves a risk to the park as it is completely exposed to the pollution of the capital as well as threats from a growing population in need of land for farming and infrastructure.

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daniel russell