The Lions’ Pride
Meet Kevin Richardson.
He is 35 year old Animal Behaviourist who shares a very unique bond with big cats that he can spend the night curled up next to them without the fear of being attacked.
Kevin was a student of human physiology who once worked with pre and post-operative human patients. He turned to animals ten years ago when he discovered that he could trust a lion over one of his own kind every time – well, almost every time.
“I could enrich their lives and they are enriching mine.” Kevin said.
A close encounter with an aggressive four-year-old male lion in the early days taught Kevin a lesson he will never forget. The animal had pinned him to the ground and started biting him until something about Kevin’s passive attitude stopped him completely.
“I have to rely on my own instincts to gauge an animal or a situation, and I will not approach a creature if something doesn’t feel right,” Kevin explained.
“I don’t use sticks, whips or chains, just patience. It may be dangerous, but this is a passion for me, not a job.” Kevin added.
Kevin says that he is most confident with animals he has known since birth, but claims he can become close friends with any lion less than a year old, when it is still flexible enough to accept him as part of its own pride.
Today, people call Kevin, “The Lion Whisperer”.
He has set up a wildlife conservation park in an area of Lanseria (near Johannesburg) in South Africa to prevent poaching and to educate the mass public about the animals under his care. And the way these animals interact with him is simply unbelievable.
The animals seem to know that he is there to protect them. What’s more, his magical charms also work with other species such as cheetahs, foxes, panthers and hyenas. Hyenas are characteristically highly aggressive and unpredictable, but they hold no threat for Kevin. He is so instinctively in tune with these beasts that the mother hyenas even allow him to hold their newborn cubs without pouncing to the rescue.
Lions are Kevin’s favourite. He lavishes them with unconditional love, he says, treating each individual differently, speaking to them, caressing them and, above all, treating them with respect.
Kevin met his first fell in love with lions 11 years ago when he was assigned to take care of two young lion cubs which he named, Tao and Napoleon.
“There were two cubs born in captivity, and I got the opportunity to spend some time with them, never guessing that it would change my life.” Kevin shared.
These two lions are adults now, and are part of a pride of 38 that has been raised at Kevin’s vast private reserve. Through the years he has developed an amazing and sometimes hair-raising relationship with all of them.
“Some people might say I’m interfering with nature. But these lions were born in captivity and I’m trying to give them the best life possible. They seem to thrive on the human interaction.” Kevin explained.
His bond with the lions has been built over the years without any kind of coercion. Kevin refuses to carry food treats or any kind of weapon when he interacts with the pride.
Lionesses are usually fiercely protective of their cubs, but the mothers seemed relaxed as Kevin played with them. These Lionesses would even allow Kevin to handle their cubs. Such is their trust in Kevin.
One lioness named Meg, is especially devoted to Kevin that she has taken to following him down to the river and joining him for a swim.
In the wild, lions are notoriously wary of water, but Meg places her paws on his shoulders and splashes around.
Do not, for a minute, think that his lions are tame. They have lots of space to roam about and have retained plenty of their wild instincts. No one is not allowed to interact with any of them, except Kevin. He is the only human they have accepted, and he is aware that one day that could change.
“I know they could kill me in a second, but that doesn’t bother me. If I came back to life, I would do it all again.” Kevin said.
In the effort to raise awareness about these beautiful beasts, Kevin has made a one hour documentary called, “Dangerous Companions” and has also published his book called, “Part of the Pride”.
Below are two videos about Kevin and his very “special friends”:-
http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20495458Rkn6XWdb.flv
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20495458Rkn6XWdb.flv
http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20495744Bjw3B7gE.flv
Or view the video on the server at: http://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/v20495744Bjw3B7gE.flv
Sources:
1) http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/gallery/gallery-e6frewxi-1111119649684?page=2
2) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-464353/The-king-jungle-doesnt-frighten-lion-whisperer.html
I don’t own any of the content of this video. All content is owned by AP Productions and MSNbc.
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Dear Tsem Tulku Rinpoche !!!
Thank you for sharing this one. My life is devoted to intercultural dialogue … and I often think about the importance to also open up to inter-species dialogue. What an inspiring sharing
!!!
And as I am a Leo it even touches me more
.
Thank you and lots of good dialogical inspirations !!!
Christoph
agradecido por tamanho amor e pureza
Amazing! So heartwarming too – animals have always been capable of being loving – they have the equal chance for enlightenment too! We so seldom give them that chance…. Kevin’s ability – wow! Could we call that the feat of (a loving) mind over matter(or rather, another sentient being)? Thank you, Rinpochela, for sharing another heartwarming story.
Dearest Rinpoche,
How truly amazing… But then again is it really? If we believe in past lives, etc, perhaps this is yet another indication of a previous imprint and through keen animal instincts, these cats “seem” to sense it? I can believe that!
While watching the first video, three things stood out for me:
1. It was mentioned that when the critics said he is interfering with nature he put them in their place by so aptly responding “We interfered with nature the day we put these animals in enclosures…” He also added he was merely promoting a better life for these animals in captivity… This one statement really reminds me of how Rinpoche shares the same compassion for all animals in captivity, the ones we call pets… be it fishes, birds, turtles etc… clearly evident in our little mini zoo in the Ladrang!
2. How incredibly large these “cats” are compared to a human. We see these cats on their own and they seem proportionate but when we throw a human into the pride… we are completely dwarfed. There was a scene of him cuddling and playing with the pride and his head was half the size (if not smaller!) compared to the head of the lion… I could not help but think, all it took was one mere bite and…!
3. If inter-species interaction between a supposed hostile species and a non hostile species (in this case the “cats” hehehe) is evidently possible as shown here by Kevin, what more do we need as a reminder that we as a supposed friendly species should care more between ourselves.
What touched me in the 2nd video is when he talks about:
1. How he is making this experience he has to benefit the plight of the lions in their dwindling numbers. Realizing he could enrich their lives and they can enrich his life. = Realizing something important and helping others in the process and thus healing ourselves.
2. How two little lion cubs touched his heart in a special way some 11 years ago and that was the start. But he also mentions a method to the madness. How he clearly states that it was a process and not a single event. = It takes but a mere moment to change our mindset (shift) but a longer time to develop our minds.
3. How he believes in getting out a greater message. What he calls lucky lessons in life in reference to his attack by a 2 year old lion. = How we can always learn from lessons especially “negative” ones but we need to realize the root of the problem and making sure the “cycle” is stopped and that we do not in turn cause the same hurt to another.
I take this posting as a reminder to us as human beings (in this lifetime) to not only think about the animals but also for our fellow mankind and all lviing beings. And that we are all actually just the same, sentient beings lost in samsara.
It is a Sunday morning and I am feeling all fluffy, bright-eyed and bushy tailed!!! hahahaha. Should we not always feel this way? Well that is my two cents worth anyway.
I went on a search for more of this man Kevin Richardson (NOT to be mistaken as the member of boyband BSB of the same name!) and found his website which makes for interesting read especially on his life… truly an amazing man who has dedicated his life to helping those who cant help themselves!
http://www.lionwhisperer.co.za
Much love… Andrew
beautiful… i’ve also been to Johannesburg, the nature reserves there are one of the most beautiful sights i’ve ever laid my greedy grasping eyes on… you never can imagine that sight impressions can lift one so high… especially the sunsets… timeless and since i was a child then, i think it really made a very deep impression.
I remember years ago a lama told me if you come across a ferocious dog barking at you and want to attack you. Stay still and generate compassion towards the animal and do not feel fear. And you can see the reaction of the animal. I have not encountered such experience but I believe it will work. Can you imagine the Lions are supposed to be the King of the Jungle. His encounter with the 4 year old lion that pinned him down would have killed him if he were to use wrath to fight back but instead the passiveness he use saved his life. It is true his interaction with the lions from the time they were born has brought the lion cubs to think that Kevin will protect them like a mother would protect his child.
Wow. I have major man-love for that guy. What a HERO.
Great post. One of those pictures is my background now heh.
Having been to Johannesburge Rhino & Lion Park (the animals roam freely), hearing the stories how some visitors have become lunch for the lions (for the environment is so surreal that some visitors get out of their cars), remembering the daunting view of the group of lions sitting at the gate waiting for the feeding truck, what Kevin does is absolutely amazing. He has practiced acceptance in replacement of dominance, earned the animals trust to be where he is today. And realizing that he still may end up being eaten or hurt by the animals. I salute Kevin. True practioner of loving, being compassionate and kind to sentient beings.
[...] The Lions' Pride | Tsem Tulku Rinpoche Kevin shared. These two lions are adults now, and are part of a pride of 38 that has been raised at Kevin's vast private reserve. Through the years he has developed an amazing and sometimes hair-raising relationship with all of them. [...]