WATCH: Lion’s daring escape from moving vehicle goes viral

A daring escape by a lion mid-transit in the North West has left social media astonished. 

The footage shows a large lion leaping off the back of a moving trailer and walking down the road as motorists looked on.

"The bakkie pulls over to the side, and the lion springs off the top of this trailer and casually strolls around. Absolutely bizarre!" says 702's Jonathan Fairbairn. 

The North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism (DEDECT) confirmed the vehicle was driving along the R49 between Lichtenburg and Zeerust on Monday.

“The lion was being transported from the Free State Province to Nietverdiend in Ramotshere Moiloa,” the statement reads.   

The lion has since been safely recaptured, and an investigation has been launched to determine how the incident happened and if any permit conditions were violated.

To hear Fairbairn discuss this crazy story with 702's Bongani Bingwa, use the audio player below: