Into the Wild for the Launch of Kevin Richardson’s Part of the Pride

November 30th, 2009 by Nina

The trip to meet Kevin Richardson at his world-famous big cat reserve was not a book launch; it was an experience. Starting with hot coffee at Seattle’s at Montecasino, the privileged guests piled into two minibuses to head out into the wild.

Anticipation for what lay ahead grew as the vehicles worked their way through built-up Fourways. The cars, roads, robots, malls, housing complexes and petrol stations slowly gave way to lush green highveld land out past Maropeng. We were going to the Kingdom of the White Lion to meet the man himself and his big cats.

Richardson is the author, with Tony Park, of Part of the Pride: My Life Among the Big Cats of Africa. The book has just been brought out in South Africa by Pan Macmillan.

Arriving at the Kingdom the two buses navigated their way past the main gate and down the dirt trail deep into the reserve. The legendary animal behaviourist was waiting to meet us. Once we “de-bussed”, Richardson gave everyone a quick run-down of the rules, and we were off – passing through another two gates and walking into the bushveld. A large human cage had been set up from within which everyone could safely view the lions. Lion whisperer Richardson stayed outside. He has an intimate relationship with all the lions and is able to interact freely with each of them.

Everyone waited.

Slowly emerging from the bush came Rodney Nombekana, Richardson’s “right-hand man”, with a pride of mixed tawny and white lions. It took everyone’s breath away. Richardson called to the lions with mixed lion noises and human words. Wary of the human cage at first, the lions slowly came forward and greeted him the lion way – with a rub of the head. Richardson returned the greetings in kind.

Cameras clicked and clicked and clicked. The lions sauntered round to find the shade of the tree beside the cage and settled down. It was a hot day and it was time to relax into the whole human-gazing thing! The humans were honoured to be so close to these magnificent cats.

Richardson laughingly said that 11:30 in the morning was like 2:30 am for the lions, and we should appreciate their effort in coming to see us. He shared many experiences of his work at the reserve and what it means to him, saying that at first he “didn’t know what he was getting involved with”.

Guests spent over three hours with Richardson, Nombekana, the lions, hyenas, a jaguar and beautiful black leopards. It was a unique and moving experience. Watch out for the movie, White Lion: Home is a Journey due for release in February 2010; and share in Richardson’s extraordinary experiences with big cats with Part of the Pride.

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