We publish inspiring and thought-provoking stories and photo galleries about African wildlife and safaris for our sophisticated international community. Millions of Rands have been raised in the last few years through David Yarrow’s auctioning of these images, made possible only because of the relationship I have with these lions. They’re not tame or habituated, but Richardson has an extremely special bond with the lions nonetheless.eval(ez_write_tag([[300,250],'africafreak_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',146,'0','0'])); This incredible animal behaviorist has such extraordinary complicity with them and has been working with lions for over 11 years.

And all the way up to the King. Posted by Editorial Team | Interests, Wildlife | 0.

Kevin Richardson’s unique relationship with some of Africa’s apex predators has captivated the imagination of many people throughout the world.

My lions get a softer touch when it comes to veterinary care – this is of immense benefit to them, and even when the vet does come, their stress levels are much less due to our relationships. Despite his success at cultivating intimate bonds with the dangerous predators, Richardson has seen his fair share of dangers and close encounters. A few weeks too early / late and a few kilometres off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. I’m concerned that the idealism of those that insist that “hands-off” conservation is the only “right” way, are those that a) are in the privileged position to visit national parks and go on expensive safaris, and b) are not in the ominous financial position of having to feed, care and maintain a home for these animals for a lifetime.

Safari company Kevin Richardson loves lions – to the extent that he has rescued and rehomed several. We will not be accepting any permanent ‘rescues’ as we appreciate the psychological and physical needs that big cats require in captive environments which is so much more than a few acres of land, food, water, shelter and a couple of enrichment programs. I have been supporting Painted Dog Conservation Inc. for several years and have travelled to Australia 3 times and done 12 speaking events for them – which helped raise AUS$300,000.

As an organisation that is not yet two years old, we need to strategically put resources into things that yield direct results, especially in the trying times we are all faced with. It aims to provide animals with a natural and open environment for predators to live. Many people believed that his method of interactions with the predators is going to get him killed one of these days. I don’t particularly like seeing certain species in zoos, but regardless of one’s views on zoos, I am surprised when people are willing to put certain wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centres in the same category as retrograde zoos in Europe. Maybe for the one or two lunatics out there, but most people have a functioning brain. These are vulnerable positions and do not reiterate an ‘alpha male’ sense of control.

It was also here that Kevin became aware of the dark and dangerous side to cub petting which inspired his conservation mission. Did you buy lion cubs from a breeding facility for Mia and the Lion?

KR: Yes. How many predators do you have at the sanctuary, and would you be willing to explain the background of all of them? It does not breed any predators and is, therefore, home to mostly adult lions and hyenas. Don’t get me wrong, having these guidelines is a valuable reference, but recently I heard someone say, “Idealism is a perfect science until it affects you.” I think sometimes those who venerate idealism are the same ones who are in the privileged position to do so. I feel that the influence of peers and influential voices are imperative to people’s choices. His documentaries and feature films include, Richardson did a series for National Geographic Wild, called. This goes against everything in the animal handling world.

The work will continue, even when all the lions in the sanctuary pass on. Image Source. I hope the series is a warning to those individuals who can’t see past the few months of when a cub feels like a cute pet, and goes out and buys a predator cat on a whim. We are in the final stages of buying 1,200 hectares of wildlife habitat on the southeastern corner of the Dinokeng Big Five Game Reserve in Gauteng. We employed the services of a prominent environmental lawyer, but the legal avenues suggested were limited and beyond our financial scope. Some people consider him mad. In the last two decades, the widespread emergence of natural history and wildlife TV shows as a competitive entertainment genre has turned many people into wildlife advocates. Cub petting is a favorite activity of both domestic and international tourists in South Africa. KR: We would prefer to look at the lion cubs from the film “Mia and the White Lion” as being saved from the abhorrent canned hunting industry. We're all about safari and celebrating wild Africa. The problem with cuddling lion cubs is not the act itself; it’s that it results in something more horrific for the animals when they grow bigger. KR: We have released some hyena into the wild, but as many know, this is not viable with lions and leopard that were born and raised in captivity. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. They cooperated and enjoyed this scientific trial. KR: I do disagree with these findings, as illustrated in my answer above. What is the flehmen response and why is it used?

I see this with online activists that often have never set foot in Africa, they have a lot to say, but don’t understand what it’s like at the coalface. So why is he so special? It is often these engagements that result in high-value donors or bequeathments that sustain the work they do. I went into her enclosure and sat with her. Below is another video but this time, 2 lionesses can be seen hugging and show their adoration for him: http://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hss/hp331-2014-39/files/2014/11/Lion-biting-him.mp4, https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2014-39/files/2014/11/Lioness-showing-their-love-to-Kevin-Richardson.mp4. Many of our volunteers have gone on to study nature conservation or veterinary science. Read on to find out all about Kevin Richardson and his roaring relationship with one of Africa’s big cats. Shock-documentaries do not have this reach, especially to new audiences, and I consider this film as critical to expanding the campaign to a broader audience and the next generation. Does seeing Ocean Ramsay interact with a White shark make her followers, or people coming across those images, want to go shark cage diving? I try to stay abreast and support these campaigns, but it has been years now that the government is equipped with the knowledge and consequences of the country’s lack of regulation, and they have done nothing. The above study deduced there are no positive behavioural outcomes for visitors observing animals in captivity. The lions benefit from the relationship we have. I grew up inspired by the works of David Attenborough, George Adamson and Steve Irwin, did this result in me wanting to interact with wild animals?

We want to do much more in this space, but we are a fledgeling organisation and still in our infancy. You referred to the Tiger King series currently viewing on Netflix. Unfortunately for his family, they got to see Richardson being hurt and bitten by the lion but fortunately Tsavo was declawed at his first home and hence it was not a fatal injuries. She has always wanted to help, and so when we were launching the foundation, I offered her a position of Patron which she accepted. When the SATSA guidelines were released, a lot of people misunderstood them and believed that wildlife interactions were banned. However, what should be said of respected sanctuaries such as Paul Hart’s Drakenstein Lion Park, Four Paws’ Lion’s Rock and Born Free’s Shamwari, Lizaene Cornwall and Catherine Nyquist’s Panthera Africa, which all have tours where educational information is given out? My shows have also done a lot to foster worldwide love for the hyena, an animal widely demonised through story narrative such as Disney’s “The Lion King”. One of his encounters occurred during his first few years working with the lions. I can only assume this was due to my relationships with the lions. We are committed to ensuring this happens, starting with consulting top scientists who know the area well. KR: I don’t think guidelines are ever enough to influence human behaviour. I paid considerable sums to get ownership of all the lions in my care – as they certainly weren’t going to be handed over as a gift – too much an amount for a group of ageing and in-bred lions to be honest. Last week I was sitting with another lion, and as I always inspect them, I found a thorn in his foot that was going septic. We have plans to make the enclosures we have built available to serving the rehabilitation and release of injured or transitory wildlife. What started as a menial job at The Lion Park (now called The Lion & Safari Park) turned into a passion for cats and a mission to conserve the incredible species. I think these images and stories have helped millions of people to feel intimately connected to an increasingly estranged natural world. General EnquiriesAdvertisingEditorsTravel with usCEO. It is pure love and affection from both sides. Enter your email for your weekly dose of ‘wild Africa’ directly to your inbox. As John Galsworthy aptly said, “Idealism increases in direct proportion to one’s distance from the problem”. The demand always existed and will continue to exist until outlawed. 1991. © 2020 Africa Freak | All Rights Reserved, Cutest pygmy animals: 6 small creatures found in Africa. Another incredible study we facilitated was the oxytocin trials we performed last year with researcher Jessica Burkhart that proved beneficial for wild lions. Well, it only takes one look at Kevin Richardson’s videos to see his unique relationship with the animals. Although the researchers had collected a lot of data on these wild lions, the government asked for proof and researchers needed a comparative model to prove their theory. There are also four leopards, 11 elderly spotted hyena and two striped hyenas. As soon as cubs become too old to safely pet, they live the rest of their lives in cages or become targets of canned hunting. Belly rubs (when permitted), food on demand at the hint of a meow, and always a string dangling from somewhere to play with. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Surely that is all the public can do to assist wildlife conservation efforts? * AG editorial note: We have confirmed with Oxford’s WildCru team as well as Jessica Burkhart that this research has been conducted as stated. He is no Tiger King zoo owner, patting the head of a caged animal with guns and sticks at the ready. What of Dianne Fossey, Liz Bonnin, Gordon Buchanan, Steve Backshall, Laurie Marker, Tony Fitzjohn, Linda Tucker and Gareth Patterson? When I returned, the vet and staff said she was waiting for me. What plans do you have for further land purchase? Upon regaining consciousness, with the intervention of another handler, Richardson managed to escape with minor injuries. A few years ago, before the foundation was launched, we attempted the legal route of addressing the lion bone quota issue. Rather, Kevin approaches lions in wild territory and they greet him more like golden retrievers than apex predators. This is unusual behaviour for a lion. To teach such a formative age group about lions and the horrible world they exist in, means the real narrative of lions (not the Disney version) is getting fixed in the minds of the next generation. I think my critics enjoy the romantic notion that I did it secretly, cloak-and-dagger style. I became involved with the film “Mia and the White Lion” because I couldn’t see any tangible effects coming from the legal campaign.

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