What does Harrods, lions and Virginia McKenna have in common?
Category: Lions, Uncategorized | Date: Jul 22 2008 | By: baraza
Lions! Even though I’ve known Will Travers for years, it took us awhile to get him blogging with us. If you haven’t seen the Born Free Blog yet then you’ve missed a lot. Today the significance of what his family and the Adamson’s have done for lions really dawned on me. I have to thank Sheryl who has a great blog and Christine for this link showing Christian the Harrods lion cub that went back to the wild and still remembered his original owners. I know you will totally adore this clip because it’s completely true.
This is so central to my own personal story. At age 17 I had completed highschool and was forced into secretarial college - the logic being that if all else failed (ie. bad grades preventing me from getting to college) I could at least be as secretary - Oh Yay! My friend and I absconded one day to listen to scientific talks at the National Museums of Kenya about Kora- the home of George Adamson and Christian, Elsa etc. That was the last day we attended secretarial college and the first day of freedom!
We were completely mesmerized with the scientists, so infatuated with the idea of spending time in the bush, but at 17 we had absolutely no clue. So, even though it was totally out of character, I approached Richard Leakey, the Director of the Museum, and told him that I wanted to work for George Adamson. Back then I wanted to be a wildlife ranger and had no concept of the dangers in that part of our country.
Leakey gave me great advice but didn’t let me go to the bush for 3 years - by then I had a bachelors degree and I’ve never looked back. Like so many people who care about wildlife, the Born Free film and books really struck a chord with me. I regret that I never met George, but I’m really happy that Will Travers and his team keeps the Born Free message burning.
Though the video seems so outdated, the issues are just as critical as ever, lions are on the brink of extinction and we need to do everything to save every last individual. That means saving Dolo, a captive Ethiopian lion, check it out here
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8 Responses to “What does Harrods, lions and Virginia McKenna have in common?”
sheryl, washington dc, on 22 Jul 2008
Heh, I had to take secretarial courses in high school for the same reasons. Unlike you, I didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up and I’m still working on that one.
Well, I’m glad you convinced Mr. Travers to blog here. I’ve been reading it and really enjoy their posts. I remember the movie “Born Free” when I was a little kid, but I wasn’t really aware of the foundation until recently. And, I’ve never seen the video until today, thanks to Christine. It’s a nice bit of evidence that non-human animals have memories and emotions and they feel pain and pleasure.
Remember that next time you sit down to dinner.
s.
Jeremy, on 23 Jul 2008
I think the video is really good, and it doesn’t seem that dated (though the hair styles give the era away, to some degree). It is great to see some images of old George, in fine form. My only reservation is about the tacky Whitney Houston theme song - that could be done away with.
Paula, on 23 Jul 2008
ooohhh I agree with you Jeremy about the song - I put my comp on mute!
sheryl, washington dc, on 23 Jul 2008
Definitely better to watch it without sound, although the version on Snopes has a sappy Aerosmith song playing.
s.
Christine C., on 23 Jul 2008
hahaha, yes, the song is pretty sappy…but probably appeals to the masses! I have sent that video to everyone I know and have just gotten an amazing response!
Helen, on 26 Jul 2008
Yes, it is a wonderful movie - I think with the song (although soppy) touches ones emotions more deeply - the words “I will always love you” is pretty powerful. I sent it to everyone on my mailing list and got several beautiful emotional responses esp. from the cat lovers. I believe when the whole human race treats animals with mutual love and respect, like George did, we just might just accomplish world peace- until then there is no hope - just my opinion.
Cornelia, on 30 Jul 2008
I am in tears…good news for a change…faith in human’s animal nature. Loyalty unique!
laurie, on 02 Aug 2008
i thought this was the most wonderful peace of footage i’ve seen in a long time it made me feel good about the world for a while that we all can do positive things if we want to , and that just may be we can leave all of gods creatures alone. i only envey that i will never have expirance like that to feel that i made a diffrance of that degree.
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