World

Three-Year-Old Barely Flinches As Massive Lion Tries to Attack Through Zoo Glass

It‘s easier to be brave with predatory animals when they’re in a zoo and on the other side of a glass enclosure. Or is it?

While others backed away from the glass of the lion’s exhibit at the Wellington Zoo in New Zealand when a 7-year-old lion Malik turned his attention from his food to viewers, 3-year-old Sofia Walker stood her ground. But based on this footage, would you?

3 Year Old Bravely Stands Up to Massive Lion Separated by Only Centimeters of Glass

Watch the YouTube video of a little girl separated by just centimeters of glass from a lion’s attack:

Although Miss Walker may have let of a bit of an “eek”, her hands barely leave the glass.

3 Year Old Bravely Stands Up to Massive Lion Separated by Only Centimeters of Glass

According to the New Zealand Herald, Sofia had disturbed Malik’s meal with staring contest and, as Zookeeper Paul Horton said in the YouTube video, Malik saw this little person as just about the right size for eating.

The Herald has more from Sofia’s father, Julian, and the zookeepers:

“She’s always had this quiet confidence with animals, but she’s certainly more confident with a lion than I would be, that’s for sure,” . Walker said.

“When we talk to her about it, it‘s like she’s almost moved on. We tell her that she was very brave and she’s watched the clip over and over, but all up I don‘t think it’s really affected her.”

[...]

Wellington Zoo team leader of carnivores and primates [Horton] said he thought the most incredible thing about the footage was how big Malik was.

“He’s massive and you sometimes forget how big he is until you see a picture of him right up next to a small child. He’s a big character.”

Mr. [Horton] said Malik was a dark-natured lion who was quite stroppy and let you know if he didn’t like something — especially if someone got in the way of his food.

“They don’t like to share, lions.”

Despite the lion’s ill temper, Mr. [Horton] said he’d seen something like this happen only once before with the male lions.

“[Sofia] came across as a bit of a rock star, didn’t she? She‘s just got a bit of spunk and doesn’t really seem to mind too much. There were a couple of moments where she was a little bit surprised, which is fair enough completely, but she didn’t seem too bothered.”

Here’s the footage from another angle that must have been taken after initial shock wore off as the kids are all giggles:

Correction: This post originally said the zoo was located in Australia when it is really located in New Zealand. 

Comments (153)

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  • HTuttle
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:11am

    She’s a kid. She thinks she’s watching TV.

    Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:30am

      It is called no survival instincts or reflexes.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • sbish
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:37am

      I think I see a future quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

      Report Post » sbish  
    • Luke611
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:43am

      Just one of the many unexpected sights to behold to remind man laughter can still be enjoyed even when lions, tigers and bears of the world are trying to chew us. I’m smiling at the little girl giggling; wushed I could have been there.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:59am

      Yes .. most likely a “Lion King” fan.

      Report Post »  
    • JediKnight
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:07pm

      @HTUTTLE: Yep.

      My sister took us (wife, kids, nieces, and nephews) to see Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3. My oldest, who is 5, kept referring to it as a movie. Even when she, my sister, showed them a clip of it on the computer before we went (she was expecting them to be very surprised) they didn’t show much of a reaction. They thought it was just a movie. I think they even wondered why they had to go somewhere to watch it since it was right there on the computer.

      The point is, these kids don’t understand it at all. She thinks she’s watching TV. Take her to a real zoo where there is no glass and the lion is over on a hill far from them. While this does give them the ability to get up close, it doesn’t allow them to realize how dangerous lions are.

      Report Post »  
    • amo
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:21pm

      @ Hidden Lion
      If you actually watch the video.
      1) You see her looking down the first time the lion starts to try and get her.
      2) The next 2 times the lion tries to get her she jumps back.

      Yeah she is staring at the lion but when she is paying attention to it, and she sees it trying to attack she does jump back. So not that nieve.

      Report Post »  
    • machochris
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:33pm

      See how she reacts after watching it kill and eat something…

      Report Post »  
    • Treaty
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:42pm

      The cool thing is that humans are smart enough to understand that a thick pane of glass that will protect them from a lion. The lion is too stupid to understand that.

      Report Post » Treaty  
    • crackerone
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:59pm

      Let‘s see how she reacts when one of the monkey’s takes things in his own hands. Nevermind, she probably learned that in kindergarden.

      Report Post »  
    • drphil69
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:16pm

      Psychologists will tell you that we born with 2 fears and 2 fears only – fear of loud noise and fear of falling. She has not learned to be afraid of wild animals yet.

      Report Post »  
    • Emrys
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:21pm

      It’s Aslan!

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:22pm

      I think even those in the womb, would fear 4 more years!

      Report Post »  
    • fatjack
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:51pm

      One could easily remove the little darling and insert the American people in that scene. We are facing a far greater danger, as our protection barrier is far thinner than that sheet of glass. However, the lion is not fully representative of the unseen evils of our government.

      Report Post » fatjack  
    • SgtB
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 3:50pm

      People forget that these “indestructible” plastic and glass enclosures have a horrible track record in keeping gorillas contained. Granted, a lion is not a gorilla, but it is still a wild animal weighing several hundred pounds. Maybe mom is just too trusting.

      Report Post » SgtB  
    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 4:27pm

      Guess her nickname from now on will have to be ‘Snack’.

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • charleyrocks
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 5:26pm

      oh ha Ha yeah that’s funny, lets put these animals behind bars and glass and point our fingers at them. Yeah ha ha, hey how about putting the zoo owner behind glass and point your fingers at him. What a horrible life these animals have why can’t we use our common sense for more than politics?

      Report Post » charleyrocks  
    • NOTHNBUTTRUTH
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 5:50pm

      Maybe she was just smart enough to realize it was behind 3 inches of glass and she was at a zoo?

      Report Post »  
    • Ray2447
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 6:01pm

      Bigggg Liooooon…

      Dave Salmoni in “Into the Pride” does it without the glass. It’s a great video from Animal Planet, also on Amazon. I have my copy on DVD.

      Report Post »  
    • Blackop
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 6:54pm

      It’s a libs fault.

      Report Post »  
    • Kaoscontrol
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:39pm

      That there be a big puttie-tat!

      Report Post » Kaoscontrol  
    • PoliticiansRCrooks
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:40pm

      hate Zoo’s. Let the animal live. How about I put you in a squared see through box & start pointing and watching you while you sit there. How would you feel?

      Report Post » PoliticiansRCrooks  
  • supressorgrid
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:02am

    Don’t worry, she knew daddy was standing behind her with a .50 cal Barret.

    Report Post »  
    • Eliasim
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:45am

      Before the throne a beast like a lion, a calf, a man, and an eagle. Can daddy take out all of them combined? Because they all do the bidding of the Lord’s angels. Lest you forget that in the Bible an Angel of the Lord has a horse throw off it’s rider.

      Report Post »  
    • Beneupho
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 3:51pm

      Ummm, what Elias?

      Report Post »  
    • amtsoundsmith
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 7:50pm

      Eliasim, you’re suppose to read the Bible, not smoke it.

      Report Post » amtsoundsmith  
  • rwandrw
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:40am

    Look the Kitty wants to play!!

    Report Post » rwandrw  
    • Mtremblay
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:02pm

      I agree. I dont think this Lion really wanted to kill her although he would just by playing with her if allowed. Media hyped this story up. My cat does the same thing when she wants to play

      Report Post »  
  • 666Sucks
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:24am

    Actually, I see the child representing the left and their moron occupiers, the right the lion, and the glass is what’s left of God, which the left will some day soon remove altogether or weaken just enough (say like when they issue the order to surrender all our guns) to break. YUM YUM!

    Report Post » 666Sucks  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:04am

      Are you saying the LEFT has more power than God to remain in our lives? Tisk Tisk ye of little faith. It shows you only have an intellectual understanding of God and not one based on real faith. The Left does not win nor the NWO elite or any other power given under heaven. God prevails, his son will govern us and soon.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • Rob in Katy
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:08pm

      I think that he is saying, that the left is lucky that we do believe in God and his laws and that he teaches us to respect the laws of man… When they take that away from us, I wouldn’t want to be a progressive.

      Report Post »  
    • AVATARBABY
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:27pm

      The lion represents the OWS, the zoo is government. The lion (OWS) wants to be taken care of, and completely provided for, by his benevolent leaders (zookeepers). Free housing, food, and maid service. The girl represents freedom (tea party). Freedom of opportunity, self reliance, and inner drive. The lion is jealous of, and threatened by her strength of character. He believes in equality of outcome over equality of opportunity. The glass, which represents enlightenment, exposes his bluster and rage as impotent ideology. Or it’s just a hungry lion who wants him some veal for lunch.

      Report Post » AVATARBABY  
    • Ballot_Box_Revolution
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:02pm

      The Lion doesn’t understand there is freedom and opportunity on the other side of the glass it only knows what is put in front of them through the glass, therefore it can not be angry at the girl for being free, and have the opportunity to do better. The Lion is upset at the girl for getting so close it’s personal space, with such arrogance. It felt threatened.

      Hmm….see even nature can explain Ron Paul’s foreign policy in a way that makes sense, better than politicians…..HAHAHA had to do it.

      We could interpret this event all day long to fit whichever views we want.

      Report Post » Ballot_Box_Revolution  
  • RRFlyer
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:22am

    I think everyone is missing the point. Kids nowadays associate everything with video games. They know shooting things and getting shot on the computer doesn’t hurt, so they don’t know the difference when it is real life. To her the glass was just a computer screen. They have no idea about reality anymore.

    Report Post »  
    • freedomofspeech
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:32am

      interesting point.

      Report Post »  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:40am

      I hope her family isn’t planning a Safari vacation after this episode.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
    • MiddleAmerica2012
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:10am

      The girl does react, then her common sense kicks in and tells her “LION behind glass, ME safe! its not as if she jumped into the pen with the beast. Even if she wasnt afraid, it does not matter, I havent bumped into any wild lions on the street… Anyone???

      Report Post » MiddleAmerica2012  
    • caveman74
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:18am

      While our kids are numbing their brains with electronic media, I still don’t agree with your statement. My five year old daughter is terrified by bugs of any sort. She runs shrieking in terror from a room if she happens to see a fly in the air. But if I catch a spider in a glass she will sit there tapping the glass watching it in absolute fascination until I let it outside. It is because this girl has parents who do things like take her to the zoo and see things in real life as apposed to popping her down in front of the electronic babysitter to learn about animals from garbage like dorra the explorer that she will be alright. She got to see those claws and teeth and the murder in that beasts eyes in real life. She was laughing there, but trust me if that glass were not there and the lion was chained you would not be able to dreg that little girl near him.

      Report Post »  
  • Marsh626
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:08am

    As a former Marxist environmentalist, I can assure everyone that the “Green” crowd was hoping that lion would break through the window and kill everyone in that room.

    Report Post »  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:33am

      @marsh
      The only thing green about the green crowd is their envy ….. And their teeth….

      Report Post »  
    • o2nine17
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:05pm

      Marsh626: So what made you come to your senses? I am sure many would be interested in how and why your changed your mind, and it seems rather unique.

      Report Post »  
  • your sensei
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:04am

    That lion is JUST LIKE the Tea Party. Drugged & Declawed. All blow and no go.

    Report Post » your sensei  
    • Detroit paperboy
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:18am

      Nope, more like the Democrat Flea Party….. Waiting for his next free lunch…

      Report Post »  
    • greensteam
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:27am

      why dont you jump in there with the lion then!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
    • softunderbelly
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:35am

      Actually, the lion “Malik” is a muslim. Kind of reminds me of Ahmadinejad. Throwing threats around and then playing the victim.

      Report Post »  
    • URKiddinMee
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 12:43pm

      Does your psychiatrist know that you are off your meds again?

      Report Post » URKiddinMee  
    • AmazingGrace8
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 1:19pm

      Love your sense of humor! Oh, by the way, you could be the frog in the well-known story about the scorpion and the frog. Have a safe day.

      Report Post »  
    • crackerone
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 2:38pm

      Here’s a picture of your sensei “drugged and declawed” vermin-supreme-2-484×620.jpg

      Report Post »  
  • janedough1
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:00am

    That is precisely what my cat does when he sees a bird: paws at the screen door like that. As for the child, I’ve seen teens at the Pittsburgh Zoo do precisely the same thing with a Polar Bear. As they were laughing at the bear trying to get through the glass to them, I leaned over and whispered: he‘s thinking what a tasty hors d’ouveur you’d make. It wiped the giggles right off their faces. Kids just don’t respect or fear these top predators at all, and I guess that explains why PETA finds such fertile ground among kids.

    Report Post »  
  • P8riot
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:51am

    I keep thinking how I wish we had zoos like that here in Arizona! At the Phoenix zoo you rarely even get to see a lion and when you do its sleeping in the enclosure 300 yards away…

    Report Post » P8riot  
  • conservativewoman
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:35am

    I have a degree in Early Childhood Studies, which includes human development. The little girl is just innocent, and does not realize the dangers.
    Full awareness does not come until approximately age 7, depending on a child’s intelligence.

    Report Post » conservativewoman  
    • 912er
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:57am

      Sounds like the typical Obama supporter…

      OMG!

      Report Post » 912er  
    • hillbillyinny
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:00am

      Probably looked to her just like something you would watch on television! A reason “children” and young teenagers don’t understand that death if forever from this earth! They see it all the time on the tube and then the person is up and walking around in the next movie or show. . .

      Report Post »  
    • shellyhsmom25
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:22am

      Conservativewoman…you are exactly right. I,too, have a degree in Early Childhood Education. It so funny to read all the comments that people are making about the right, the left, G*D, muslims, and video games. Sometimes things are exactly as they appear on the surface. The girl is ONLY three years old. Plz people.

      Report Post » shellyhsmom25  
    • caveman74
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:26am

      does your degree tell you that if a lion were to charge a 3 year old they would open there arms and wait for a hug from the fluffy thing? I think a three year old would run in terror. She jumped at first because she recognized a threat until she realized the animal could not get through the glass, threat removed, fascination kicked in.

      Report Post »  
  • wingedwolf
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:25am

    Is the child medicated? Or simply indoctrinated into have zero instinct for survival?

    Report Post » wingedwolf  
    • kindling
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 10:34am

      It is the second. My children have been raised on a ranch and understand the food chain. I can tell you they would love to see that lion but would have been in the next room by the time that lion got to that window. It is just one flaw of this society. Those raised in a warm safe home in a neighborhood that is protected from reality and go to schools that punish kids for everything tend to be unable to defend themselves. The lower the income of a family the better grasp they have of the dangers out there. The only exception is those raised on ranches and farms with no TV.

      Report Post » kindling  
  • viper316
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:23am

    The Force is strong with this young Padawan!

    Report Post »  
  • single stack
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:21am

    She isn’t brave, she’s clueless. With all the anthropomorphic nonsense kids are taught these days she has no idea that the lion would have eaten her if he could.

    Report Post »  
    • V-MAN MACE
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:28am

      Man…that is one HUGE feline.

      No wonder we (black folks) run so fast and jump so high. I would nearly sprout WINGS to get away from THAT thing…

      I must confess, fight or flight definitely overpowers my Daniel in the Lion’s Den-ism.

      Report Post » V-MAN MACE  
    • caveman74
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:33am

      L freakin OL V. I wish I had a witty reply to that but how do you top that one

      Report Post »  
  • Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:18am

    KITTY!!!! *hugs*

    Report Post » Lesbian Packing Hollow Points  
  • Silversmith
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:10am

    Vaguely disconcerting that she didn’t flinch. Perhaps animation of friendly beasts don’t do our children a favor in the real world.

    Silversmith

    Report Post » Silversmith  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:07am

    What a beautiful, glorious animal. I do believe the littlt girl is braver than I am.

    Report Post »  
  • jakartaman
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:06am

    Kids are trusting souls -

    Report Post »  
  • GeneTracy
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:03am

    Ah,the young and the innocent.The fearless innocence of youngsters is a marvel to behold.It’s also that very reason that we have to protect them from all sorts of predators.That said,I’m certainly not blaming the lion for what he did.He‘s gonna do what he’s gonna do and I‘m not lyin’.

    Report Post » GeneTracy  
    • PPMStudios
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:11am

      You’re correct about the “young and the innocent”. Window of separation be dammed, I on the other hand would have filled the back-side of my shorts!

      Report Post » PPMStudios  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:05am

      A dose of healthy respectful fear needs to be taught here. I hope she knows better not to approach a pack of roaming pitbulls in her neighborhood.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • JLGunner
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:00am

    Jinkeez Scoob !!!!!!!!!

    Report Post » JLGunner  
  • cemerius
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:59am

    ha ha ha too funny…..a shame a creature as magnificent has to live it’s life in a cage…..best way for them to survive although :(

    Report Post » cemerius  
  • salvawhoray
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:54am

    I’m so glad that I can such gay news here, besides from “Yahoo”.

    Report Post » salvawhoray  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:52am

    Impressive.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • biohazard23
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:48am

    Holy crap!

    Report Post » biohazard23  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:46am

    .
    Little girl better be glad Harry Potter was not around…….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • Mannax
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:01am

      NERD!!!

      Of course, I am one for understanding why you said it. And I don’t think she would have been as cool in the snake enclosure.

      Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:46am

    I guess we humas are losing our survival instincts.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • Dstarr55
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 8:55am

      Perhaps she thought he was Aslan from The Chronicles of Narnia.

      Report Post »  
    • Oh, God!
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:12am

      I was thinking the same thing DSTARR.

      Report Post » Oh, God!  
    • tersky
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 9:46am

      Definitely too much 3-D entertainment. Maybe she didn’t even understood that it was real.

      Report Post »  
    • kickagrandma
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 11:04am

      My thoughts were: Aslan and when we get to HEAVEN we will be able to walk with the lions without fear.

      Report Post »  
    • sister1_rm
      Posted on January 9, 2012 at 4:06pm

      No, folks. It’s a three-year-old girl in an environment where Mom is calm and the atmosphere is relaxed. She felt safe the whole time. What’s more, this child may never have been told that lions can be dangerous. How many people tell their toddlers that the zoo is full of rabid, man eating, wild monsters before taking them? I don’t see any evidence of instinctive failure

      Report Post » sister1_rm  
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