South African Zoologist, Kevin Richardson, has spent his life studying the native animals of the African plains. In the footsteps of such notables as Dian Fossey and Jane Goodall, Richardson has developed a relationship with the lions of the Savanna that can only be described as love.
He steps from his Land Rover and calls to the 400 pound animals, and as they charge through the bush, instead of taking him down to the ground with a severed jugular, the big cats wrap their paws around his shoulders in an amazing display of affection. Richardson wrestles, cuddles and plays with these creatures that routinely crack water buffalo bones in their massive jaws.
Richardson notes that due to unscrupulous hunting and loss of habitat to human development, the very symbol of African wildlife will be gone within the next 20 years. Richardson uses his unique relationship with the lions to call attention to their plight.
His research also demonstrates that these "beasts" are far more than primal predators ruled purely by instinct, but are in fact, intelligent, curious, trusting individuals with distinct personalities.
You can watch one of Richardson's videos of him interacting with the lions here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOE0aZDllAk
But this is not the end of the story. Not three hours later, strictly by chance, I ran across another article under a photograph of a woman, proudly displaying a scoped rifle, kneeling by the carcass of a dead male lion.
The woman in the picture is Melissa Bachman, host of television hunting shows. The caption of the photo reads: "An incredible day of hunting in South Africa! Stalked inside 60 yards of this beautiful male lion...what a hunt!"
National Geographic filmmaker, Dereck Joubert, stated, "Hunting a lion is the most cowardly thing you can do." His twenty-five years of documenting animal behavior proves this. Lions will walk right up to a truck and lay down in its shade. Lions do not see humans as food or competitors for territory. Since they have no interest in killing us, it never occurs to them that we are a threat.
It should be noted that both Kevin Richardson and Melissa Bachman are highly controversial figures, whose methods are questioned by their peers. Detractors of Richardson believe that humans should not interact with wild animals at all, and that any attempt to make physical contact with a wild animal is extremely dangerous. Supporters of Bachman point out that lion numbers need to be culled to keep the population healthy, and that the hunting is done legally and under government regulation.
I have a deep, abiding love of animals. I believe that they have certain unalienable rights just as we do. They are worthy of our respect and admiration. But after listening to both sides, I have to say that I come down on the side of those who think that people should have no contact with wildlife except for authorized conservation activities. It's just not a good idea. Getting lions used to people is a recipe for disaster when they accidentally or intentionally hurt someone. Stick to photo safaris.
Surprisingly, considering my love of animals, and cats in particular, I have to agree with advocates of legal hunting. It's easy to vilify the practice, but it has its place.
These issues are complex. We live in a complex world. Don't take my word for it. More information is as close as your fingertips. After all is said and done, it's the nature of the beast.
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