Living the wild life

WHAT do you do when a herd of wild animals decides to charge at you? If your first instinct is to run, don't. Do you think you can outrun a lion, an elephant or a buffalo?

Safari guide Peter Allison says "whatever you do, don't run". That is also the title of his first book, which he wrote in 2008, based on his experiences in the safari. "You have to stand your ground," says Mr Allison, who has trained himself not to run. He advises to "make yourself look bigger by putting your arms out, show confidence, step forward, and in some cases, roar back at the lion. Of course, it helps to practise all these in your head".

He bursts into laughter when he reveals that instead of roaring, he finds himself turning into a panicky mess. "And when the lion sees what a pathetic prey I am, he is no longer interested."