BREAKING: Tourist Injured During Lion Walk at Casela Nature Parks — Awaiting Official Response from the Park

What began as a once-in-a-lifetime experience in paradise took a frightening turn this week for a group of tourists visiting Casela Nature Parks, one of Mauritius’s most iconic adventure and wildlife attractions. A guest participating in the park’s popular Lion Walk experience was attacked by one of the lions mid-tour, raising serious safety concerns about close-contact wildlife encounters.

The injured tourist was reportedly pulled to the ground and bitten during the walk, which takes place in a semi-open environment under the supervision of trained handlers. According to eyewitnesses, four caretakers rushed in to intervene and managed to rescue the visitor after a tense struggle. The guest sustained injuries to the leg and had their clothing torn in the attack. In a twist of fate, the lion involved had previously suffered a dental injury and lacked its upper canines—otherwise, the consequences could have been far more severe.

UPDATE — Official Statement from Casela Nature Parks

Following our inquiry, Casela Nature Parks has officially confirmed the incident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon, 21st October 2025, during the “Walk with Lions” activity.

“We confirm that a regrettable incident occurred in the late afternoon of Tuesday, 21st October, during the ‘Walk with Lions’ experience at Casela Nature Parks. A visitor to the park was bitten in the leg by one of the animals while participating in the activity. Our staff provided medical assistance immediately to the visitor who was later transferred to a private clinic. Casela Nature Parks takes all necessary measures to ensure the well-being and safety of all our visitors. We are sincerely sorry for the distress and injury caused to our guest and his family during the ‘Walk with Lions’ activity. Our focus since the incident occurred is to ensure that our guest is taken care of and that full support is given to his family. Meanwhile, an inquiry is under way to determine the exact cause of the incident. A comprehensive review is being carried out, with the assistance of safety experts, to understand what happened and if need be, to strengthen our safety protocols.”

WowMauritius will continue to follow the story and publish further updates as they become available.

“We Got Lucky — But It Was Terrifying”

In a personal testimony shared in a Mauritius travel group, a fellow tourist recounted the moment with a mix of shock and disbelief:

“It was a dream to come here, and the park is honestly beautiful. But we ended up being part of an ‘extra attraction’ we didn’t sign up for. One of the lions suddenly lunged at a tourist in our group, knocked them down, and started biting. It was terrifying to witness. The guides reacted fast, but everyone was in panic.”

The lion reportedly ran off into the bush after the incident but was later recaptured by the park’s staff. The walk was immediately terminated. Guests waited anxiously for updates as the situation unfolded.

To add to the emotional strain, the group was still asked to pay for souvenir photographs—approximately 14,000 HUF (about €35)—despite the fact that the experience was cut short. “After all that, they still asked for photo fees,” the tourist noted.

A Letter to Casela: Firsthand Reflection from a Guest

One of the guests present during the incident later wrote a personal message to the Casela Park team. With their permission, and for the sake of transparency and understanding, we are publishing the full letter below. The guest preferred to remain anonymous but was eager to share their perspective and constructive feedback:

Dear Casela Park Team,
I’m sorry for only writing this now, but we’ve just returned to our accommodation, and I needed some time to process everything that happened today.
We went on the lion walk, and it started off wonderfully! Such incredibly beautiful creatures! Unfortunately, I don’t remember the guide’s name, but I would like to point out that he was extremely professional — he constantly paid attention to us and tried to keep us safe. So I definitely do not hold him responsible for what happened.
And as for the lion… of course, I can’t blame him either. Even though he was raised in the park since he was a cub, at the end of the day, he is still a wild animal. I truly regret what happened, but even if the attack had happened to me, I would still say that we were the ones entering his space.
Perhaps one important piece of advice: there should always be a guard positioned between the lion and the guests, someone who can intervene immediately if necessary. Unfortunately, we could see the situation developing — from our angle, we could clearly read the lion’s eyes and body language. It was obvious that he was about to make a move. He seized the opportunity. I’m not sure why — perhaps it was instinct, or maybe because the man really seemed harmless. He fell behind the group for just one or two seconds, and the lion sensed that he was separated from the “herd.” That’s when the animal got too close to the tourist, saw the opportunity, and pounced.
Unfortunately, there are always some people who, no matter how many times they are warned, will not fully understand the danger — or are simply too brave. If you have any further questions, I’ll be happy to answer them.
However, there is one important matter I’d like to mention. The tour was cut short, and we didn’t complete the full walk due to the incident. Unfortunately, the park did not offer us any compensation. Since the tour ended prematurely, I believe it would have been fair if we had at least received the photos free of charge. In the shock of the moment, we still paid for them, but since we didn’t complete the entire experience, we would kindly like to request a refund for the photos as compensation. I believe that would be the fair solution.
Thank you very much in advance for your help and cooperation.

WowMauritius has contacted Casela Nature Parks and awaits an official response. Any updates will be shared here.

The Lion Walk: Thrill or Risk?

The Lion Walk at Casela has long been marketed as a bucket-list adventure, offering guests the rare chance to walk side by side with adult lions under the watchful eyes of handlers. Many visitors have praised it as a thrilling and memorable part of their Mauritius trip.

However, this week’s incident has reignited a debate about the ethics and safety of animal-interaction tourism.

Lions, even when raised in captivity, remain apex predators. Their behaviour can be unpredictable, especially under stress or unusual environmental conditions. While Casela has trained staff and detailed safety briefings, the question remains: is there such a thing as “safe” proximity to a wild animal?

Awaiting Official Response from Casela

As of publication, Casela Nature Parks has not yet released an official statement regarding the incident. The park remains open, and lion walks are reportedly still being offered. We have reached out to Casela for a comment and will update this article as soon as an official response is received.

In the meantime, tourists are urging others to exercise extreme caution, reconsider participating in close-contact wildlife activities, and always prioritize safety over excitement.

It’s worth noting that the Casela Nature Parks themselves are an impressive and well-kept destination. The sprawling nature and adventure park features lush landscapes, safari drives, quad biking, zip-lining, and even family-friendly areas like petting zoos and playgrounds. Visitors continue to enjoy the park for its many attractions beyond the lion experience.

A Wake-Up Call for Responsible Tourism

This incident highlights an important truth: no matter how experienced the staff or how many precautions are taken, wild animals are still wild. Even if born and raised in captivity, lions possess instincts that cannot be fully suppressed. Their reactions can be triggered by subtle changes in human behaviour, nervous energy, or environmental cues that visitors may not even be aware of.

Mauritius has long promoted itself as a safe and family-friendly destination, and this incident is not representative of typical travel experiences on the island. Still, it serves as a sobering reminder that extreme wildlife interactions carry real risks.

What You Can Do as a Traveller:

Research thoroughly before booking wildlife experiences
Avoid animal attractions that involve direct contact, especially with big cats
Support conservation-based sanctuaries and parks where animals roam freely
Listen to your instincts—if something feels unsafe, it probably is
Ask questions about animal welfare and safety protocols

We Still Love Mauritius — But We’re Grateful to Be Safe

Despite the shock of the experience, the tourist who shared the story ended on a hopeful note:

“We got lucky. Please learn from us. These animals, no matter how trained, are not pets. We were given a second chance, and we hope others can enjoy Mauritius safely—without needing one.”

We echo their sentiment.

Mauritius is indeed a magical place. From pristine beaches and coral reefs to volcanic peaks and lush sugarcane fields, there’s so much to explore and fall in love with. But responsible tourism—where the safety of both visitors and animals is valued—should always be part of the experience.

Looking for a Safer Adventure?

If you’re still hoping to see lions during your visit, we recommend experiencing them from a respectful distance on one of Mauritius’s wildlife safaris or through educational talks. Alternatively, opt for Black River Gorges National Park, where you can trek among native trees and spot rare birds like the pink pigeon—no fences or photo fees involved.

For family-friendly thrills without the risk, Casela still offers zip-lining, safari drives, camel rides, and stunning views of the west coast.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on a firsthand account shared with WowMauritius. All information reflects the personal experience of the individual and is presented in good faith. We are currently awaiting an official response from the organization involved.

This report is based on an exclusive firsthand account shared with WowMauritius. Media outlets are welcome to reference this information, provided they credit WowMauritius.com with a visible link.