Lion Called Christian

by Anthony Bourke

  Christian remained in the holding compound at the airport for two days. We stayed in Nairobi, and several times each day drove out to see and feed him. He was apparently content to sleep if we were not there, but the flight seemed to have exhausted and disoriented him. Our visits attracted enormous crowds of Africans, and we realized that most of them had never seen a lion or many other indigenous animals. Until the early 1970s, only tourists could afford to visit the game parks. Each time Christian walked toward the gate of the compound, the crowd stepped back apprehensively. As we talked to various officials at the airport, it was apparent that they did not see the point of trying to rehabilitate a lion, let alone flying one from England at such expense.

  We visited Nairobi National Park and saw many animals in their natural environment, yet we were only fifteen miles from Nairobi and the Hilton Hotel was clearly visible on the horizon. Bill had the opportunity to show George and several other people the rough-cut of the English sequences in the film, and George was particularly interested to see a lion filmed in slow motion for the first time.

  Within two days Christian had fully recovered from his flight, so early next morning we left Nairobi in several Land Rovers for the first stage of the journey. Christian traveled in the back of George's Land Rover, and to our concern, he paced relentlessly and quickly rubbed bare patches on his nose and forehead from the wire barrier between him and the front seats. We stopped frequently to give him water and to try to pacify him, and George probably thought that we were unnecessarily worried about our pampered lion. On one of these breaks George warned us that Christian could run off if we let him out of the vehicle, and we were very proud when much to George's surprise he obediently jumped back in.

  As the day progressed it became increasingly hot, dry, and desolate. We had been depressed by George's description of Kora, and now we could see for ourselves the nature of the country that Christian was to live in. We drove two hundred miles, and just before nightfall arrived at a temporary camp, where we were to spend two nights, prepared by the safari company engaged to look after us. Christian was exhausted, and we led him into a small compound that had been built for him. We decided to put our beds in with him, and he promptly climbed onto one of them and fell asleep. His first night in the African bush!

  In the stillness and refreshing coolness of the African evening, we sat down to a superbly set table where Africans in flowing blue kaftans and red boleros and caps served us a delicious three-course meal. It was a surreal but pleasant surprise. At dinner George relaxed and asked us to call him "George," and he told us about the other lions that were to be rehabilitated with Christian. For his man-made pride George already had two other lions waiting at Naivasha, and in a few days he would have to return to collect them. One was Katania, a four-month-old lioness, who had been found and given to George, her mother being presumed dead. The other was Boy, a seven-year-old lion who had led an extraordinary life.

  In 1963, when they were young cubs, Boy and his sister, Girl, were abandoned or lost and were found by Colour Sgt. Ryves of the Scots Guard Regiment based near Nairobi. They were lovingly raised by his wife, Hildegarde, and their two young daughters, Jenny and Patricia. The cubs were so friendly and popular that they became the regimental mascots. When the regiment returned to the U.K., there was even a suggestion that Boy and Girl would go with them, but luckily they were given to Joy and George Adamson for rehabilitation. Before being returned to the wild, the cubs were to be used in the film Born Free, and Girl played Elsa. Most of the other lions used in the filming were sold to zoos and circuses, which angered Joy, George, Bill, and Virginia, and created controversy. In April 1965, Boy and Girl moved with George to Meru National Park.

  Their rehabilitation had been successful, but in October 1969 Joy had quite by chance found Boy emaciated and badly injured, perhaps by a buffalo. He was operated on by the experienced wildlife vets Dr. Tony Harthoorn and his wife, Sue, and during the complicated operation they inserted a steel pin into one of Boy's legs. Joy and George nursed him for nine months at Naivasha, where Joy lived. It was a fortunate coincidence that Bill had contacted George about Christian at the time when Boy was almost well enough to be released again. George would leave our camp in a few days to collect Boy and Katania from Naivasha.

  Next morning Christian had his first walk in Africa. We symbolically took off his collar, now permanently discarded, and followed him with Bill and George. The country was barren, with many thorn-bushes, and totally featureless, and Christian, who had appeared so big in a London furniture shop, was dwarfed by his surroundings. It was extremely hot, and he just walked quietly, absorbing everything. Instinctively, he knew how to remove thorns from his tender paws with his teeth, and we saw that the color of his coat was a natural camouflage. He was so obviously in his rightful environment.

  Since it was a waterless region, it was unlikely that we would see any other animals. But late that afternoon a stray gombi, a large domestic African cow, came wandering toward the camp. Separated from its herd, it was looking for water or food. Christian saw the gombi and immediately began to stalk it. The animal had enormous sharp horns, and George warned us to stop Christian, for as he was so inexperienced he could easily be injured. He would not be restrained, so George raced to his Land Rover and drove between Christian and the gombi, which then ran off. Before Christian could follow it, we both grabbed him to put him in the Land Rover. But for the second time in his life he snarled a terrifying warning, and we instantly released him. The gombi had disappeared, and Christian, justifiably angry, reluctantly followed us back to camp.

  George was impressed by Christian's perfect, instinctive stalking of the gombi, and explained to us how he had fanned out in a wide semicircle, using the natural cover of the bushes. He had been correctly positioned so that the wind would not carry his scent to the gombi and alert it. George said, "We won't have any trouble adapting young Christian to the wild," and we were very proud.

  It was now eighty miles to our final camp at Kora. But the road was rough and covered with powdery volcanic dust. We had to drive very slowly. As we drew closer to the camp on the Tana River, to our relief the countryside became slightly more fertile and varied. Among other animals we saw elephants, waterbucks, and some giraffes, and Africa began to come alive for us. We drove past a village whose inhabitants were wearing simple cloth wraps, necklaces, and bracelets. They were the first Africans we had seen apparently living as they had for centuries and not wearing drab Western clothes.

  For the last twenty miles it was often necessary to use the four-wheel drive on the Land Rovers, particularly when crossing sandy riverbeds, and it was obvious why the area was sometimes inaccessible in the wet season. We arrived late in the afternoon to find the camp in an unexpectedly beautiful setting. Our tents were among the distinctive Doum palms, beside the wide Tana River. Christian's long journey was over, and we could not believe we had actually got him to where he was to live. No doubt many challenges lay ahead, like meeting the other lions and just surviving.

  George left the next morning to collect the other lions from Naivasha, and was away for several days. We were thoroughly spoiled; our tents were comfortable and insect-free, our meals were provided, hot showers were prepared, and our clothes were washed and somehow even ironed. Christian had a compound near the tents to sleep in at night. The Africans with the safari company were terrified of him, however, and if he teased them too often we had to keep him in the compound during the day, as well. Because of the heat, we were all lethargic. Christian behaved like the worst tourist, avoiding the sun and lolling on our camp beds at every opportunity, probably dreaming of cooler weather in England.

  In the early mornings before it became too hot, or in the late afternoons, we went for walks with Christian. We will never forget the freedom of just walking with him after the eight months in England so full of our imposed restrictions. He would bossily push his way in front of us and always insist on leading. But he was easy to direct
and showed no inclination to wander off by himself. Fortunately, on these walks we did not meet any other animals, for we knew we would not be able to restrain him. If we went swimming, he sat in the shade and watched. He was fascinated by the baboons barking at him from across the river, and he observed the hippopotami that occasionally surfaced and the crocodiles that ominously slid into the water whenever we appeared.

  Filming continued intermittently, and to everyone's surprise the "King's Road Australians" adapted very easily to Africa compared to the English film crew. We were used to the heat and did not get sunburned, drove the vehicles and had a good sense of direction, loved the bush, swam in the river, and of course, had confidence and ease with lions.

  In several ways Christian seemed very much a beginner with a lot to learn. With his big paws he was rather clumsy and inept at climbing rocks, and we often had to show him the way or help him. For the first time in his life he was not wholly dependent on us for amusement, but we were slightly concerned by his lack of interest in investigating anything by himself. There were many thornbushes, and although he was able to pull the thorns out of the pads of his paws, he often just looked helpless and waited for us to do it. His pads were still soft, and because of the long walks and the thorns they became quite raw, but they quickly began to toughen.

  He was content and free and very gentle with us. Although now a large animal, he would still sometimes spontaneously leap into our arms, a gesture of affection that could now almost knock us to the ground. Soon other lions would arrive to hopefully make his life more complete.

  While George went to Naivasha to collect Boy and Katania, and we stayed by the river, Terence Adamson was building a permanent camp for George in much less attractive surroundings, several miles from the Tana River. This was to discourage the lions from swimming across the crocodile-infested river to the other side, which was a hunting block, where hunters pay for a license to hunt specific animals and where there was a real danger that the lions could be shot. George intended to live at Kora for at least two years, which would give him time to form a pride, and the lions would have the chance to establish their territory and operate independently. This second camp had several huts and tents within two large wire compounds.

  A few days later George returned with Boy and Katania, and they were taken to his camp. In two days they had both recovered from their long journey, and it was time for Christian to be introduced to his first lions. The initial test in his rehabilitation was that he should be able to assimilate into a life with other lions and show that he had not been disadvantaged by his life among humans. George explained that the introduction would have to be a gradual one, spread perhaps over weeks or months. He wanted to live with Christian in one compound, separated by a strong, high wire fence from Boy and Katania in the other compound. Living side by side, they would develop a familiarity, and eventually could be fully introduced. As in all relationships, human or animal, compatibility cannot be assumed, especially in this case with Christian and Boy--their age difference and both being male.

  Unsure of what would happen, excited but apprehensive, we drove innocent Christian up to George's camp. He followed us into the first compound, and in the other one we saw Katania and Boy. Katania was tiny and cute, but our attention was riveted by Boy. He was enormous, impressive, and stood motionless with his eyes on Christian, who was instantly aware of his presence but, understandably confused and frightened, unwilling to even look at him. We walked toward Bill and George, who were standing a few yards from the dividing wire fence. Christian was reluctant to follow, but slowly picked his way toward us, his eyes averted from Boy. Bewildered, he crouched behind us, pressed against our legs. Katania sensed the impending events and wisely kept well away. Suddenly, with a deafening roar, Boy ferociously charged at Christian. Under his weight the wire gave slightly, and we all scattered. Poor Christian remained where he was, but cringed and snarled. Momentarily satisfied, Boy walked away. Christian was badly shaken and needed consoling. He leaned on our legs and sat on our feet, insistent we did not leave him. It was obviously a shock for him to discover that he was not the only lion in the world, and worse, that the first one he met was at least twice his size. We waited a few yards from the wire for about half an hour. Boy kept a nonchalant eye on Christian, who either sat on us or hid behind our legs pretending to be asleep. Several more times Boy charged at Christian, who again cowered and snarled.

  We moved away from the wire, the initial introduction over. Boy had behaved predictably, for as an adult lion he demanded submission from Christian, but George noted that Christian, too, had behaved predictably and correctly, cowering and deferring to an older male. Christian was very nervous all day, and although his eyes were constantly on Boy, he stayed close to us, well away from the wire. That night we put a bed for him between our beds, but our sleep was broken by Boy's powerful, haunting roars, which frightened Christian and us equally.

  Christian spent most of the next day on George's bed, although he was free to leave the compound if he wished. We were rather worried about him as he seemed too at home on the bed and appeared to take no interest in Boy or Katania. He occasionally gave them a cool glance in the next compound. But late in the afternoon he walked to within a few yards of the dividing fence. Katania came over and flirted with him. Christian was definitely interested but did not move any closer. Boy charged toward him, and again Christian cowered. He then casually retreated and came back to us, and we felt that he had made a positive step.

  The following morning George constructed a small hatch between the two compounds so that Katania could be with either Boy or Christian. The crucial introduction would be between Boy and Christian, but Katania could be a helpful link. She tentatively came through the hatch twice, but Christian was of course asleep on a bed and did not see her. Again we were concerned about Christian's lack of interest in communicating with them. He pretended they did not exist, but we sensed he knew exactly what their movements were.

  Later we took him for a walk, and he seemed relieved to be away from Boy and Katania. The countryside stretched endlessly, broken only occasionally by outcrops of rock. George had chosen the campsite for a variety of reasons, but Kora Rock, the large rock outcrop overlooking the camp, was ideal for the lions to use for observation. It was unattractive here in comparison with the Tana River, but still rather beautiful--various shades of gray and brown, and splashes of green around dried-up water holes. Barren, and mainly covered by low, thick thornbushes, it was a harsh area for the lions to live in. Christian had come to what could be described as another "World's End."

  Back in the camp he teased the Africans constructing the huts; he bit a few bottoms and kneecaps, and jumped on whatever they happened to be carrying. These Africans adjusted to Christian but were always wary of him, as lions are their traditional enemies. George was interested to see that Christian, unlike most other lions, showed no color prejudice. Boy, who would accept Europeans, growled fiercely each time an African came too close to his compound, but Christian did not share this dislike and amused us all for the afternoon. He seemed a travesty of a lion.

  In high spirits, Christian now became rather provocative with Boy. He focused his attention almost entirely on him, and a little later he strode boldly up to the dividing wire and lay down. Boy charged and Christian turned and fled. But he came back a few minutes later and appeared to be teasing Boy, who was outraged by this impudence and again charged angrily. Christian even poked his head through Katania's hatch, but hastily withdrew it when Boy spotted him. Perhaps he had tired of having no contact with them, yet strangely it still seemed more natural for Christian to be with humans rather than lions. We certainly appeared to appreciate him more.

  The next day George decided that it was time for Christian to meet Katania, who had been unwilling to leave Boy and come through the hatch to Christian. It was unusual for a fully grown lion and a four-month-old lioness to have such a strong, affectionate relationship because in a nat
ural pride the adult lion has little contact with the cubs. But since they had been living together at Naivasha, Boy, probably to his embarrassment, had been cast in the role of mother-substitute.

  George led Boy out of his compound, and Christian, safely on the other side of the wire, stalked him as he walked past. Boy rushed at the fence, but his charges now seemed less convincing, and we suspected that he was rapidly becoming bored with this necessary display of authority. Interestingly, when he charged this time, Christian snarled as usual, but for the first time rolled over on his back, the gesture of submission from the younger lion that Boy demanded.

  With Boy outside we could then take Christian through a gate into the other compound. He walked up to the other end, where Katania was pacing, distressed by her separation from Boy. Christian approached her confidently, and they exchanged a beautiful greeting, their heads gently touching. He was intrigued and continually licked and smelled her. Boy jealously watched all this from outside, but after an initial charge at the fence to demonstrate his disapproval, he appeared resigned.

  Christian and Katania played together, and although he was much bigger he was very gentle, and she squealed on the few occasions he was too rough with her. He followed her, tapping her back legs and tripping her. This was a game that he and Unity had devised at Leith Hill. Christian was delighted to have a lion to play with, and afterward we thought that he was rather smug and offhand with us!

  Boy was led back into our compound, and Katania ran through the hatch to greet him. After smelling her he grimaced, baring his teeth to show his displeasure at Christian's scent, but another step had been taken. We were very uneasy about Boy spending the night in our compound with us, as we had not been introduced to him either. To our horror he chose to sleep in our tent, and we did not dare argue. This really unnerved us. We did not know him and he did not know us. We were associated with Christian, who as a young male must have appeared as a threat to him. On several occasions he gently raised our arms up in his huge jaws and teeth and it was hard not to panic. Unexpected quick movements can alarm and frighten lions, with dangerous consequences, and we tried to appear relaxed and not radiate any fear. He urinated where he liked, staking out his territory, and we just tiptoed around him. We found Boy quite unknowable and privately felt he had had too many injuries, operations, and anesthetics.