John Rendall and Ace Bourke, Australians living in 1960s London, share the heartwarming true story of raising Christian the Lion in their flat. They discuss the challenges of owning a lion, negotiations with the Kenyan government to send Christian to Africa, and the formation of a new lion pride. The podcast concludes with an emotional reunion of John, Ace, and Christian in Kenya.
The podcast tells the heartwarming story of Christian the Lion, detailing his journey from being a lion cub in London to being reintroduced to the wild in Kenya.
The podcast provides insights into the vibrant cultural scene of 1960s Chelsea, highlighting its role as a hub for creativity, attracting artists and musicians.
Deep dives
The Fascinating Tale of Christian the Lion
In this podcast, the hosts share the heartwarming story of Christian the Lion. In the late 1960s, two young Australians, John Rendell and Anthony Ace Burke, bought a lion cub named Christian from Harrods. As Christian grew, they discovered the challenges of caring for a lion in London. Eventually, they connected with George Adamson, a conservationist in Africa, who helped them transport Christian to Kenya and introduced him to the wild. Christian formed a new pride with another lion called Boy and a female lion called Catania. Ace and John had to bid farewell to Christian and returned to London, but they later visited him and experienced an emotional reunion. The podcast ends with the remaining uncertainty surrounding Christian's fate, hoping he lived a long and fulfilling life in the wild.
The Cultural Revolution of 1960s London
The podcast also sets the backdrop of 1960s London, particularly the vibrant streets of Chelsea. During this time, Chelsea was a hub of creativity, attracting artists and musicians. The hosts describe the cultural ambiance and the unconventional ideas that thrived in the area. The lively music venues, avant-garde galleries, and bohemian boutiques contributed to an atmosphere where anything felt possible.
The Journey to Introduce Christian to the Wild
The podcast explores the challenges faced by Ace and John in reintroducing Christian to the wild. They were connected with George Adamson, who had experience rehabilitating lions. Through negotiation with the Kenyan government, Christian was transported to Kenya with his owners. George Adamson devised a plan to create a new pride for Christian, including another lion called Boy. Despite initial challenges and the tragic loss of Boy, Christian eventually grew into a mature African lion, bidding farewell to his former owners as he ventured into the wild.