[FEL-L] South Africa - Something interesting

[Prometheus Horse]

Hi there everyone, loudmouth agian! *winks*
   
  Anyway, I missed the NBC evening news Sunday night, which apparently included a video piece on this fellow. Thankfully, my local NBC affiliate (WMTV-15 Madison) replayed a couple of the videoclips as a "fluff piece" for their football-delayed 10pm news broadcast. Figured I'd let you all know about this and for those of us fighting misguided legislation.... here's proof that even in range-type conditions big cats aren't the bloodthirsty-dangerous killers people (and mostly uneducated legislators) tend to believe them to be. It's on several news mediums and the comments seem to be much like those here for the Daily Mail.
   
  Tim Fuller
  (like Tim Stoffel, for the lions... and tigers, and... )
   
  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=464353&in_page_id=1770
   
  The king of the jungle doesn't frighten the lion whisperer  By GLENYS ROBERTS - More by this author » Last updated at 09:49am on 26th June 2007 
   Comments (27) 
  Animal behaviourist Kevin Richardson has such an intimate bond with big cats that he can spend the night curled up with them without the slightest fear of attack. 


  Richardson, 32, who is based in a wildlife conservation area near Johannesburg in South Africa, works his unusual magic on other species too. Cheetahs, leopards and even unpredictable hyenas hold no threats for him.     Scroll down for more ... 
     This adult male is comfortable enough with animal behaviourist Kevin Richardson to permit a gentle kiss
  

    So instinctively in tune is he with these beasts, whose teeth are sharp enough to bite through thick steel, that mother hyenas even allow him to hold their newborn cubs without pouncing to the rescue.     But lions are his 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.     Scroll down for more ... 
     Five-year-old females Meg and Amy see Kevin as one of their own 
  

    A former student of human physiology who once worked with pre and post-operative human patients, Kevin turned to animals ten years ago when he came to the conclusion that he could trust a lion over one of his own kind every time - well, nearly every time.     A close encounter with an aggressive four-year-old male in the early days taught him a lesson he has not forgotten. The animal pinned him to the ground and started biting him until something about Kevin's passive attitude stopped him in his tracks.     Scroll down for more ... 
     Kevin rolls around with Tau and Napoleon, two adult brother lions
  

    Kevin says 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.     "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," he says.     "I don't use sticks, whips or chains, just patience. It may be dangerous, but this is a passion for me, not a job."   
     Cuddles and love bites are all part of 'play' fighting

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   Add your comment | View all Comments (27)  
    27 people have commented on this story so far. Tell us what you think below. 

Here's a sample of the latest comments published. You can click view all to read all comments that readers have sent in.
  These pictures are amazing and so heartwarming to see a human being accepted by these wondeful creatures.

I just wish there were more like him and less of the kind who kill these magnificent creatures for fun!

- Abi, Shropshire
  Would love to cuddle a big cat but would be too scared.

- Cathy, Cov
  What a chance in a lifetime opportunity!

I would give up everything to have that life!

Good on you Kevin you are so lucky.

- Cd, North East
   
   



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