World Lion Day's 'rare reverse chase’: Man and lion flee in opposite directions in viral clip, watch

World Lion Day, observed on August 10, celebrates the majestic big cat and raises awareness about its conservation. In Gujarat’s Gir Forest region, lions and humans share space in remarkable harmony. Villagers often spot Asiatic lions on roads, fields, or even near their homes, yet fatal attacks are extremely rare.

Recently, a lighthearted example of this coexistence surfaced online, a man-lion encounter that left the internet in splits.

ManandLion'sHilariousEncounter

On Sunday, a clip emerged on social media showing a man stepping out of a factory just as a lion strolls along the road outside. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect or more comical. As the man exits through the gate, he finds himself face to face with the big cat.

Instinctively, the man panics and dashes back inside. But in a surprising twist, the lion appears equally startled and bolts in the opposite direction.

Though the video’s source remains unverified, retired Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Susanta Nanda shared it with a witty caption. The caption read, "Worker of the cement factory at Junagarh & a free roaming lion accidentally meet each other. Both panic. You have just witnessed the rare reverse chase." (sic)

Worker of the cement factory at Junagarh & a free roaming lion accidentally meet each other. Both panic.
You have just witnessed the rare reverse chase 😀 pic.twitter.com/W4ps2NJl0S

— Susanta Nanda IFS (Retd) (@susantananda3) August 10, 2025

The clip has since gone viral, racking up thousands of views and reactions, with amused netizens flooding the comments section with laughter and jokes.