Did you know lions could open car doors? Neither did we—until it happened to my sisters during a visit to South Africa. They were there visiting our parents, who were serving a mission in the country, and what started as a routine safari quickly turned into the experience of a lifetime.
As they drove through a game reserve, excited to spot wildlife in their natural habitat, they came across a pride of lions lounging in the tall grass. With cameras ready and windows rolled up, they paused to take photos and admire the animals from the safety of their rental car. Everything seemed calm—until one of the lions suddenly got up and started approaching the vehicle.
At first, they thought it was just curious. But then, to their shock, the lion casually walked up to the passenger side and—using its mouth—flipped open the unlocked car door. Yes, it actually opened the door! My sisters screamed, scrambling to shut it just in time, laughing and panicking all at once. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but the moment left them stunned—and a lot more careful about locking car doors in the wild.
Later, they learned that some lions have learned to associate cars with food or curiosity, and a few have figured out how car handles work. What’s normally a secure barrier between humans and wild animals suddenly didn’t feel so secure anymore.
The video they managed to capture is now a family treasure, and the story has become one of the most unforgettable memories of their trip. It was a powerful reminder: in Africa, the wild is very real—and sometimes smarter than you think!
