Tigers and photographers don’t always get along it seems. Moments of pure terror passed for this man. Why?
Photographers, especially those who deal with nature, are used to risky situations. Adverse weather, complicated safaris, attacks. It’s always worth it for them, just to take home memorable shots. In today’s story the epilogue could have been very different. Let’s see why.
Moments of pure terror for this photographer
A nature photographer’s job that can become very high risk. Little work in the studio and hours of stalking in often adverse conditions, in order to bring home the fruit of so much work.
For example a little while ago the famous Steve Winter he experienced moments of pure terror during a photo shoot. The man, a highly rated National Geographic professional, was busy shooting a reportage that was supposed to immortalize a liger. It is a hybrid between lion and tiger. No less imposing and dangerous than the other two species.
We are in the Broken Arrow Safari Sanctuary, Oklahoma. A work that is part of the documentary “The Tiger Next Door”. Of course, Winter could not imagine that the specimen would be able to escape the control of the staff by literally jumping on him, and even biting him on the arm.
In contact with the Ligre
A full-blown attack that could have ended in a much bloodier manner if the custodians had not intervened promptly. The liger was not even particularly light: 125 kilos and an exuberant behavior considering its age, just 18 months.
Which suggests that since it was a puppy it was just a game for him and not a predatory attempt. Luckily the photographer did not suffer serious injuries despite the bite, just a terrible scare. Which didn’t stop him from taking home some memorable shots.
The report will be regularly published in the dedicated issue of National Geographic, while the testimony of the experience is thanks to Nick Ruggia, director who was accompanying Winter during the work.
Steve Winter he has worked for National Geographic for about 20 years. Specializing in photos during safaris and in particular tigers and lions, he is a true explorer and has also won several awards. Among these the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year and the BBC Wildlife Photojournalist of the Year. Additionally, you took home Picture of the Year International’s Global Vision Award twice in World Press Photo in both 2008 and 2014.
