Dave Salmoni Spends 6 Months With Wild Lions In Africa, Armed With Only A Cane And Pepper Spray (VIDEO)

Dave Salmoni, star of the new Animal Planet Show Into The Pride, stopped by The Today Show to talk about his daring and up-close encounters with wild lions after spending 6 months with them alone in the African Bush, armed with nothing but a cane and pepper spray. He even brought a lion cub for Meredith Vieira and Ann Curry to play with.

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Comments

[William Young]

I give him credit for trying this but this isn't his first time trying to step into a pride of lions, so far he hasn't been successful but maybe one of these days he may get lucky.

[brooklyncitizen]

Finding the story interesting I guess but the notion of "problem lions" is disturbing.
Maybe they should just get a prescription for prozac.

[hypnus]

Next, Dave Salmoni, will spend six months among, The Birthers, armed only with a fake birth certificate from Kenya and some shiny glass beads to keep himself safe. Watch as he eats and sleeps among them. He even teaches a baby Birther to walk on it’s hind legs. Thrilling stuff.

[brooklyncitizen]

LOL

more dangerous mission.

[Usama]

Actually, point of fact, African herdsmen of various kinds have defended themselves and their herds with nothing but a staff and a cloth wrap around one arm. A Somali friend told about his uncle who lived in the rural areas near Kenya and used this method against lions and he learned this from his father. Loud aggression sounds are critical to making that bigger, aggressive image against a charging lion. So this fellow is not doing anything extraordinary except in to the modern media's interpretation.

There's nothing like a couple of middle aged pampered ladies in the New York media establishment telling you how amazing you are.

[jagoneely]

This guy is so irritating. There is no scientific reason to stalk lions to win their friendship. Stop it already.

[wordvarc]

Yea. But let's see him try to survive in Washington, DC.

[LiberalHick]

Now THAT'S a true challenge!!

[NotWaldo]

The cameraman had a bazooka loaded at all times.

[BulwerLytton]

Stay away from sting rays, Dave.

[hermitlife]

Remember what happened to Grizzly Man?

[Angie Cordeiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Yes, as I recall there was a comment made by a local native Alaskan in the "Grizzly Man" documentary that nailed the subject of "realm" boundaries between man and beast; a mutual respect and distance that brings harmony to co-existing; yet if crossed to often does not end well.

That said, it is always amazing to learn about the few extraordinary people, like the young man featured here, who for a duration and a noble purpose push the limits.

[LiberalHick]

"For a duration [???] and a noble purpose push the limits."
Someon'e got a crush.

[tkondaks]

What's noble about it.

Timothy Treadwell (Grizzly Man) got himself and his innocent girlfriend eaten...PLUS he endangered many others by habituating these wild beasts to be comfortable to be around humans WHICH THEY SHOULD NOT BE.

Bons debarats.

[Highse]

He's just asking for it. The video is telling the real story. He's not fraternizing with the lions, as conveyed by the write-up, indicating that his adventures are on the same line as Joy and George Abramson's were with Elsa the lion, or the English blokes who raised from a pup, Christian the lion, featured in the YouTube videos. No, this guy is being a foolish daredevil, conveying the false impression that he's able to amble freely amongst wild lions, armed "only" with a cane and some pepper spray, and that these prides are "embracing" him, as if he was a friend to them. Please. He's an intruder and not welcomed. In each of the video scenes the lions were rushing him, but pulled up, primarily because he thinks his MO works, raising his cane and roaring like a lion. What nonsense. Not wishing any ill-will upon this man, but it's only a matter of time before he experiences an extremely harsh moment, a moment that can be easily avoided. In addition, he not only is exposing himself to lions, but other predators as well. A very foolish venture this is, though, obviously it's his choice.

[linton]

How do I train to be like a lion?
I looked under my bed but could not find it !!!!!!

[tttom]

Even domesticated house cats will occasionally take a playful swipe at you. One swipe from one of these guys and it's goodbye carotid artery.

[jackstpaul]

The real tragedy, now that's he done it, is that the story will probably influence other people--no­n-experts-­-to think that they can do things like this with wild animals. So there will be a rise of people trying to get close to wild animals, with an attendant rise in people getting mauled and killed by wild animals.

Don't try this at home kids.

[framah]

It's all part of natural selection. Weeds out the lower life forms... you know, teabaggers, birthers, those.

[NilesCrane]

He was discovered today in the brush with all of his limbs missing. He his face was parcially chewed off and his hair done up in corn rows....very odd indeed

[wolfgangbloom]

I'm a wild animal and people love touching me.