Walking with Lion

Sometime I think I watch too many wildlife shows; Untamed and Uncut, Worlds Most Dangerous Animals, Caught on Tape, Africa's Deadly Dozen....  I do so to try to gain as much knowledge as possible but too much of what I watch are drama shows of what can happen or has happened to the unlucky few.   

On my 2005 Africa trip I visited a fabulous private wildlife preserve in South Africa that rehabilitates and releases - on their own property - injured and orphaned animals.  At the time I was there they had a two year old lion cub which they hand raised with a yellow lab; yes a domestic dog - they were best buds.  I was to go on a sunrise bush walk with two guides, the lion and the dog the following morning. 

I met the guides at the predetermined time and location that brisk morning, coffee in hand as the sun peeped over the horizon.  I was still groggy as the two guides began to give me the list of rules of which to obey while in the company of this lion; don't stoop down, don't separate yourself from the guides, don't make sudden movements, if he should rub up against you don't react, and whatever happens don't run....  I assure you that when they finished I was wide awake and feeling like if I swallowed another drop of coffee it would surely come back up.  Taking notes was considered.  As I rehersed the rules in my head out came both the lion and the dog bounding for our small group. 

The lion ambled straight up to me and rubbed on my leg to scent me according to the guide.  He was so strong he almost pushed me to the ground and God knows I did not want to go to the ground after hearing the rules.  At that moment I recalled the image of a show of just such an event; a walk with a lion who suddenly grabbed a female tourist by the head.  The outcome was not pleasant.

But this lion did no such thing.  We had a nice hour long sunrise walk.  I smiled the entire way watching this lion and dog interact; smelling the young cat and listenting to his grumbling and low roars.  But there was never a moment that I was not fully aware that a large predator was in my company and that at any moment should I make the wrong move he could easily kill me.  At the end of the walk, the guide asked if I would like to stand behind the lion for a photo.  The smart side of me was thinking isn't that considered seperating myself from the group.  But the brave side of me I seem to find only in Africa said sure, yes, why not.  The lion was laying down in the grass.  I handed my camera to the guide and strolled casually behind the lion.  Just as the guide was about to snap the photo the lion yawned.  His movement alone had my full attention but when he began to show me his impressive K-9's I thought I might be in trouble.  The expression in my face, if you can see it, tells the story better than words....

You may be asking why I would put myself in such a fearful situation.  It is these types of events that allow me to not only stretch as a human but also to feel more alive than ever.  My only fault is indeed watching too many wildlife shows.