When I read in The Times about this heart-tugging video diary of Christian the Lion having become an internet sensation I just had to check it out! It is a must see!
38 years after Christian was returned to the African Bush this short home movie has been watched 6m times on YouTube and other sites, thrusting two Australians who originally bought the Lion cub from Harrods in 1968 back into the limelight.
The story is that George Rendall and Anthony Bourke who lived in London at the time bought the Lion cub and needless to say impressed their friends when the trio played football in the park! The big cat lived in a London antique shop, but when at 18 months Christian grew too big he was moved to the Kenyan wildlife sanctuary featured in the film Born Free.
A year later when John and Anthony went to visit the sanctuary, its founder George Adamson warned the former owners to stay away from Christian who was now in the wild and had his own pride. He said the Lion would tear them to pieces.
John and Anthony clearly felt things would turn out differently...and as the film shows at the moment of their reunification, Christian rushed towards them, putting his paws on Rendall's shoulders and licking his face in joy! What a moment of joy and moving friendship that has apparently reduced millions of viewers to tears! I am one of them!
share in this 'feel good' moment if you have a chance, you should be able to go straight to it by clicking on the link below:
A much better experience-outcome than the person trying to connect w/grizzly bears in Katmai National Park in Alaska to which the documentary "Grizzly Man" is based upon.
JudyMarie10:02 PM CST