Lions with ‘Good Taste’ Steal Woman’s $1,800 Designer Bag on Safari and Turn it into a Toy (Exclusive)

Designer bags appeal to ladies of all types.

According to Diana Fiorentinos of New York, a group of mostly female lions managed to grab her $1,800 designer bag while she was on safari in Namibia’s South Luangwa National Park with Lion Camp.

Diana, who runs a “boutique, family-run travel business called Classic Escapes” with her aunt Stacy Fiorentinos, tells PEOPLE that she and Stacy were visiting Namibia together in late October to research “high-value destinations for clients” when the incident happened.

“I’ve been on safari a few times before so I know firsthand how wild this purse snatching experience truly was!” Diana shares.

On safari, Diana noticed early on that the lions she and her aunt spotted were “very active”. As a result, Diana’s “camera action was fierce,” and she was focused on capturing the majestic animals rather than her belongings.

Two lions inspect the bag they took from Diana Fiorentinos during her safari in Namibia.

Courtesy of Diane and Stacy Fiorentinos

“There was a lot of fumbling, and the next thing I knew, the lions had taken my bag. I really don’t even know how they got it, but I guess it must have fallen out of the vehicle at some point with all the excitement that was going on,” she says.

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Diana adds that her first reaction when she saw the wild animals with her expensive purse was, “Oh my God!” But that joy soon turned to “panic” when Diana realized the lions not only had her bag, but the contents inside, including her iPad and the necklace Diana always wears when she flies.

Lion walking with Diana Fiorentinos handbag.

Courtesy of Diane and Stacy Fiorentinos

“It belonged to my grandmother, who is no longer with us,” explains the tour operator.

Diana fought the urge to grab her purse as she watched the big cats curiously rummage through her bag. “These lions must have good taste because they seemed very excited to have my bag. They were playing and interested. It was really funny.” because there were four lionesses and one male. The ladies were so gentle with the bag, they just licked it, but when the boy got his paws, the destruction began,” Diana says of what happened next.

A lion sniffs Diana Fiorentinos purse after taking the bag from a tour operator during a safari.

Courtesy of Diane and Stacy Fiorentinos

For over an hour, Diana watched as the lions explored every inch of her purse with their mouths and paws. The safari guide tried to encourage the lions to move away from the pack, but the big cats did not relent until several safari vehicles arrived.

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After the lions cleared the area, the guides collected Diana’s bag and its contents. Amazingly, except for the battery and one hat, Diana got all the things in her purse when the lions grabbed her.

Diana Fiorentinos bag after it was found by a group of lions.

Courtesy of Diane and Stacy Fiorentinos

“Some parts were missing from the bag, but I was able to put the strap back on and continue to use it,” Diana says of the final outcome.

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Although the theft of the animals was worrying at first, Diana says she can now look back on the bizarre event and smile. that completely surreal experience that I hope will never happen again,” she adds.

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Source: HIS Education