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Lion Hugs: Expressions of Love from The King of the Jungle
Hugging Lions
When we think about nature, we often put animals into two categories: the cute & cuddly, and the fierce & dangerous. The fierce & dangerous can be a beautiful creature, but one you can hug? Rarely.
Rarely, do we consider that those fierce and dangerous have feelings. They have emotions, and the ability to love. Though they usually keep that love for their own kind, sometimes, when an animal grows close to humans - so close it accepts them as family - they hug. They hug and they kiss, and you can instantly see the love and friendship shared between the two.
Here you will find several such situations. Lions hugging - showing true love and caring for a human.
By the way, I don't know the story behind the zebra hug photo shown here. It seems to be roaming internet forums with words over it. I actually suspect it is not a hug at all, but a lucky freeze frame of an attack - but, hey, it caught your attention.
Kevin Richardson Hugging His Lions - Lions in South Africa
Kevin Richardson, an animal behaviorist, owns a private reserve near Johannesburg South Africa, where over 30 lions reside.
Christian The Lion
In 1969, John Rendall and Ace Berg purchased a small lion in a cramped cage in London and named him Christian. They exercised him on the grounds of a local church, and as he became larger, they prepared to re-introduce him into the wild in Africa. They did bring him to Africa, and one year later, the two men went back for a visit. This was their reunion:
A Lion Called Christian: - The True Story of the Remarkable Bond between Two Friends and a Lion
This book was originally published in 1971, so it tells the story as if it were recent and without the decades of age and hindsight added.
It is a lovely and heartwarming story of Christian the Lion and features over 50 photos. Through the book, Christian grows from being a cub to a magnificent lion, and he travels
More About Christian the Lion
Learn more about this extraordinary lion:
- Christian the Lion : A Lion Called Christian : Animal Planet
Christian the Lion's television debut, A Lion Called Christian, tells the dramatic story of and his journey across the globe, rehabilitation in Africa and eventual return to the wild. Watch the dramatic reunion, as seen on YouTube, plus a rarely-seen - Hugging lion's owners recall final farewell - TODAY Pets
Internet video of the lion's heartwarming reunion with the two men who raised him made tears well around the world - but it was not their last meeting. Ace Bourke and John Rendall revealed details of their final farewell to the "hugging lion." - Christian - the lion who lived in my London living room
He traveled by Bentley, ate in fine London restaurants and spent his days lounging in a furniture shop. The story of Christian the pet lion - and his eventual release into the wild - is as moving as it is incredible.
Interviews with John Rendall and Ace Berg
The Australian interview is pretty good. The interview on The Today Show with Meredith Viera is not so great. Meridith asks how they feel about the video becoming an internet phenomenon. They say it is humbling, and then she asks, "What do you mean when you say it is humbling?". Uh, duh. Meridith, here is the definition of humble.
King of the Jungle Hugs & Kisses His Rescuer! - Cali, Colombia
Ana Julia Torres gets a hug from Jupiter, a lion she rescued from a life of malnourishment and abuse in a traveling circus.
Secondhand Lions - Starring: Haley Joel Osment, Michael Caine, Robert Duvall, Kyra Sedgwick
Haley Joel Osment's character, in Secondhand Lions, befriends a lion that his offbeat uncles purchased in order to hunt.
Secondhand Lions
This story has that classic blend of kitschy sentimentalism mixed with implausible action that makes for a sappy yet satisfying film. It's one of those movies you can't believe you enjoyed. Haley Joel Osment plays Walter, a 14 year old boy, in his most awkward years who is trying to grow up while still starving for love from family. His mother (Kyra Sedgwick) drops him with two totally eccentric and outrageous uncles who are living an old life of adventure in their heads, and a life of old age in reality.
This is the kind of movie you can watch with your family and everyone will enjoy different parts. It's a great film that I would highly recommend.
Another Hug from Christian
Zamba: The True Story of the Greatest Lion That Ever Lived
When Ralph Helfer, now one of Hollywood's top animal behaviorists, first began working, he was shocked by the cruelty that was accepted practice in the field. He firmly believed in "affection training" -- that love, not fear, should be the basis of any animal's development, even when dealing with the most dangerous of creatures. Then Zamba came into his life -- an adorable four-month-old lion cub that went on to prove Helfer's theories resoundingly correct.
Befriending Lions
- British safari park ranger gives a relaxing foot massage... to a LION
Most people shy away from giving their partner a foot massage let alone dishing one out to a 40 stone killing machine. But British park ranger Alex Larenty is made of sterner stuff and has no qualms about gently rubbing the paws of a lion under his c
One More Lion Hug
Guestbook
This is great!! I absolutely LOVE lions!! Thanks for sharing!
This is incredible. The lion is my favourite animal and these stories are wonderful.
I really enjoyed this lion lens kab! The story about Christian the lion was truly moving. Thanks for sharing.
I love your lens very much. The third of my like i give to your lens:). Thank you 4 visit my...
Ah, who doesn't love a hug I ask? And especially from such an affectionate big cat.
A great big lion hug for you. {{{Hugs}}}.
Beautiful lions with their beautiful hugging moments. I love lions specially when you go on a safari. Cool lion hugging lens
I definitely love seeing hugging lions - so beautiful. :)
I have seen the videos before now of Christian The Lion, and stll it warms my heart when I watch them. This is a wonderful lens. Have a nice day!
very interesting lens...awesome
nice lens
The lion has long been one of my favorite animals. Animals are truly amazing and capable of more than what we think.
Thank you for making this beautiful lens. Animals are truly amazing. Sometimes they show us what's possible.
I would love to hug one.
Ah that's so awesome. Now I wish I had a pet lion! They look like very loyal animals. Great lens!
i loved this lens i have a big cats page id love for you to visit if you have time!!
great lens!
A superb lens !
Much enjoyed!
Christian the Lion story is so inspiring...
These videos are so touching! I actually shed a tear...
Beautiful animals on a great lens!
I love cats. Big ones, little ones, scary ones! And love this lens.
cool lens!
Wow, this was neat to see tonight, well done on this ... *blessed*
wow!!!!!!! (maybe the lion actually did want to hug the zebra)
I just love the story of Christian the lion. All these videos of hugging lions are wonderful. Thanks for sharing this very entertaining lens!
The picture gives a different message to the lens, as we all know the lion isn't sharing a happy friendship with the zebra... not happy for the zebra anyway.
A good read. Only thing i disliked is mentioning Bigcat rescue here... there are so many good sanctuaries for these animals (bigcat.org, wildcatsanctuary.org to mention some you might concider dontating to if you really want to help), and BCR is definitely not one of them. Here´s what people that responibly keep lions and other creatures think about BCR:
perfect lens,i love it
Fantastic lens. Lots of lion hugs for you!
I love this. I'm a big fan of the big cats. I saw this lens on the home page. Congrats!
I'm speechless.
What a great story, thank you.
Nice to see another Big Cat lover around here. I loved that video of Christian the lion. :)
Sweet
I love stories about humans and animals! They really do know us!!! :) Blessed!
Love picture of the zebra and lion hugging... great capture!
Christian's story always makes me misty-eyed. Such a wonderful story!
I've heard about this particular lion, it's amazing how even years after no contact, he was still able to remember his original family. Hasn't he died since that video was filmed?
Have you read or seen any interviews/stories about or by George Adamson? Of course, he's the one who helped release Christian into the wild. He was the ultimate Lion Man.
Such beautiful and majestic creatures I have always adored paintings and photography of lions.
Excellent Lens, Love it
@pcgamehardware: LOL - True!
I've seen the video of Christian the lion before now... Truly is a wonderful video... It's emotional and quite amazing if I can say. Beautiful lens...Thank you .
I;m lovin' all the lion love here. I understand that relationship with a wild animal better after having raised an orphaned deer. She became just like family to me.
Very nice lens. Blessed.
Cool lens, Lion hugs are great...as long as you don't smell like a Antelope... :)
oh boy i do love that show. lovely lens! cheers
Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
The story of Christian the Lion really moved me, and I each time I watch the YouTube clip I can't stop the tears rolling down my face as It's such a beautiful and amazing story and a happy one too that 'true love really knows no boundaries' and true friendship will last forever! I also cry because I found it sad that no-one seems to know what happened to beautiful Christian and that they presume he lived a happy and long life with his own pride! and I hope that that is true.
The story of Christian the Lion is amazing and really moved me when I first saw the video..
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