Christian The Lion: The Illustrated Legacy

In 1969, Harrods department store in London sold a three-month-old lion cub to two young Australians, John Rendall and Anthony (Ace) Bourke. They named him Christian and he lived happily with them for a year. When he outgrew his London environment, he moved to the home of Bill Travers in Surrey and later to the care of George Adamson in Kenya. In 1973, Christian disappeared into the wild forever. This brand-new book from Bradt collects Derek Cattani's never-before-seen pictures of Christian and updates the story to the present day, including the story of their YouTube sensation and a chapter on the murder of George Adamson.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 18 October 2018
Publisher: Bradt Travel Guides

The captivating tale of Christian, a three-month-old lion cub, has captured the hearts of people worldwide. In 1969, Harrods department store in London sold Christian to two young Australians, John Rendall and Anthony (Ace) Bourke. They named him Christian and he embarked on a remarkable journey, living happily and safely with John and Ace and their human pride. Initially, Christian resided in the World's End on the King's Road in Chelsea, where Derek Cattani began capturing his captivating images. As Christian outgrew his London environment, he moved to the home of Bill Travers in Surrey and later to the care of George Adamson in Kenya. George Adamson, renowned for his expertise in lion rehabilitation, had successfully rehabilitated lioness Elsa, the subject of Joy Adamson's book Born Free.

A year after Christian's departure from London, John and Ace returned to Kenya in search of their beloved companion. Their emotional reunion, captured in a film clip that has now been viewed by over 100 million people on YouTube, is a testament to the bond between humans and animals.

In 1973, Christian disappeared into the wild forever, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and captivate. John and Ace's first book about Christian, which was a million-seller in the 1970s, experienced a significant resurgence of interest after their YouTube clip went viral in 2006. This brand-new book from Bradt, titled Christian: The Lion That Changed the World, collects Derek Cattani's never-before-seen pictures of Christian and provides an updated account of his story, including the viral YouTube sensation and a chapter on the tragic murder of George Adamson.

When John and Ace brought Christian to Kenya in 1970, Africa was home to an estimated 300,000 lions. However, today, the lion population has dwindled to fewer than 25,000. Christian's journey serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of conservation and the fragile balance of nature. His story continues to inspire people worldwide to protect and preserve the majestic creatures that inhabit our planet.

Weight: 588g
Dimension: 190 x 234 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781784776213