This is unique - to say the least !

[gcboat]

http://www.flixxy.com/lion-whisperer-kevin-richardson.htm

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

This is possible because he introduced himself to the pride over a period of time. Were he to try this with an unfamiliar pride, the outcome would not be so cute.

For those fascinated with this sort of thing, I recommend a book called "Cry of the Kalihari." It is about a husband/wife reserach team who lived in the bush around the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari is mostly in Botswana, but has parts in Nambia and South Africa too.

Mark and Delia Owens had sort of a "truce" with a couple of prides of lions in their main research area. They didn't interact with the lions quite this way, but the animals did wander around their camp at times.

That said, Delia Ownes was stalked and nearly killed by a female lion while out of her land rover one day. She was clearing a landing strip for the Cessna that Mark Owens was flying and she got too far away from the vehicle. An unfamiliar pride was in the nearby grass "hanging out," and one of the lionesses began to stalk her. From there it became a staring match as Delia tried to make it back to the Rover, before the lioness made her final dash.

 

[Bill Kilgore]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

Note to self:

Move "Animal Behaviorist" down the list of desirable occupations.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

This is possible because he introduced himself to the pride over a period of time. Were he to try this with an unfamiliar pride, the outcome would not be so cute.

For those fascinated with this sort of thing, I recommend a book called "Cry of the Kalihari." It is about a husband/wife reserach team who lived in the bush around the Kalahari Desert. The Kalahari is mostly in Botswana, but has parts in Nambia and South Africa too.

Mark and Delia Owens had sort of a "truce" with a couple of prides of lions in their main research area. They didn't interact with the lions quite this way, but the animals did wander around their camp at times.

That said, Delia Ownes was stalked and nearly killed by a female lion while out of her land rover one day. She was clearing a landing strip for the Cessna that Mark Owens was flying and she got too far away from the vehicle. An unfamiliar pride was in the nearby grass "hanging out," and one of the lionesses began to stalk her. From there it became a staring match as Delia tried to make it back to the Rover, before the lioness made her final dash.

Completely agree. Unfortuneately our society of vidiots will try this and get themselves shredded. I guess that is what lawyers are for.

 

[scipper77]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

When I was a teenager I would have tried anything. Sky diving, bungee jumping, whatever. I guess you have something to prove to yourself or the world or whatever. Now I think about skydiving and say "Why the heck would I want to put my self in that kind of a situation??" There is no appeal.

When I watch this guy I feel the same way. How bad would his life be if he had children and hung out with them instead? I just can't make sense out of risking your life for no reason.

 

[Zeeter]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

When I was a teenager I would have tried anything. Sky diving, bungee jumping, whatever. I guess you have something to prove to yourself or the world or whatever. Now I think about skydiving and say "Why the heck would I want to put my self in that kind of a situation??" There is no appeal.

When I watch this guy I feel the same way. How bad would his life be if he had children and hung out with them instead? I just can't make sense out of risking your life for no reason.

Thats why we send young people to war. Older folks have more of a tendency to try and work things out.
It takes twenty years of experience to get twenty years of experience.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

I have been in a cage with a 200 lb mountain lion and have handled him. This particular cat is about 40 generations away from the wild and is pretty much like an overgrown "puddy-tat." He likes to have his ears scratched and purrs when you do that to him.

Its all about knowing the cat in question and having real expertise in handling such animals. Even then, things can happen and they can happen quickly. The Siegfried and Roy incident is a great example - these animals are large and powerful and all it takes is a flash of "crankiness," for something very bad to happen.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

Note to self:

Move "Animal Behaviorist" down the list of desirable occupations.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[salty87]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

"accepted him into the pride"?....more like they're tolerating him for now.

similar to the guy who thought he could live with grizzlies only to get his girlfriend eaten too.

this guy's one bad mood away from the end.

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

Actually, I understand their behavior from watching my Siberian Husky play with his food before he eats it.

 

[ziggy]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

that's a great video. thanks for sharing.

i think that looks like a wonderful job. perhaps a little dangerous, but i'm sure i could get into it.

i used to work in the joint. they had ferrule cats around the grounds that some of the offenders would care for. i was talking with this American Indian fella (an offender) about life (regarding the cats) one day. i told him, man, if there's reincarnation. i wanna come back as a cat. he looked at me and said in all seriousness. we feel it's the other way around. there is reincarnation and in your previous life, you were already a cat. i thought that was and interesting way to view it.... perhaps i was, because i do think i connect with most cats... not that i've met any lions or anything though... maybe that guy in the video was a cat (lion) in his previous life...

 

[jakebrake]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

i'll say it anyway. They must clank when he walks.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

Being a native american I can relate to people that can "speak" to animal spirits,,but,,,,,,,,,I ahhhh............know sometimes they no want to speak to you.Maybe they be in the mood to hunt and eat meat.Know what I mean....Being able to talk with an animal does not mean HE WILL NOT TELL YOU A LIE..... some animals are big liers..

 

[jakebrake]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

fairlane, he probably also forgot that he's tasty with a little ketchup.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

The dude is closer to cat scat than he knows.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

rjlipscomb, i agree with the husky statement. tasha loves to take kibble in her mouth and throw it across the room and then catch it.

 

[capt_neo]

Re: This is unique - to say the least !

Note to self:

Move "Animal Behaviorist" down the list of desirable occupations.

I agree with Bill