Some people are insane. Some people know what they are doing. This guy brings back memories of Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. He can even hold a baby hyena without fear of attack from its mother. Some people have all the fun!
According to this amazing news story, Kevin Richardson is 32 and has been doing this for years. I suspect that this kind of behavior usually ends in tragedy, like the bear lover Timothy Treadwell.
Check out the full story at Daily Mail.
UPDATE: Since writing this post, I have learned that he is also the producer of the film White Lion - Home… is a Journey. It is a story about Letsatsi, a [tag]white lion[/tag], and his stuggle to adulthood against all odds.
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I really do think he’s crazy to be around/handle wild animals in this way. They can be unpredictable and dangerous.
That they can. Welcome to my home, Mom.
Who let the mom on!
Now we have to watch our language….and stoof. Proper punctuation and spelling to…..oh noes. OOps messed that one up. I’m glad my mom wont ever read what I post…..if there was an Inheritance I would have her read it on the off chance she would croak from seeing the real me.
As for this guy…more power to him. Steve died for what he belived in during a freak accident. Not his fault, not anyones fault. People like these 2 fellas show us what we keep forgetting, Nature is there and need protection by us, from us. The animals are not goin to do it themselves. They are here to survive an live on, yet can’t do that with all the messes we are making with the world. I’m no tree hugger but i know we are on borrowed time here. It won’t be long before we are looking for a way off this rock becuase the lease is due tomorrow.
Let this guy become the next Irwin. Look at all the great things Steve did and tell me he didn’t love his job or failed in it. I hope this guy can be as gregarious as Steve.
He could end up like Steve or Tim…Or…the next race car driver, the next mountain climber, the next stunt man…..
Hi , I would anyday prefer living life one day as Irwin did and Kevin’s doin . . many of us are living the safe and secure life and how do we die . . hit by a bus or die in sleep or of an illness . . . probably our death does not define or justify us . . but its how you live !
and they did and are living their lives on their terms . . but death as it is with us they can’t control.
Hey Sowmya! Thanks for stopping by.
You make an interesting point, although I am a no in complete agreement because of cause and effect.
I think it is one thing to die doing something normal (such as sitting on the couch when a branch falls through the roof) even if one does extraordinary things all of the time. That is a tragedy. However, if one dies doing an extraordinary thing, say lion-kissing, I would suggest that poor, headless casket-filler should have chosen a “less obviously ‘easy to become fatal’ extraordinary thing.”
All it takes is one lion having a bad hair day and Mr. Richardson is history. The ego of men is boundless.
Mrogi,
How true. I like your metaphor. You have keen insight on the nature of man. I just saw a show last weekend about a guy living with wolves, too. I don’t care if he raised them from pups, he’s nuts.
I don’t understand what everyone is so worked up about. It’s not like he’s some guy that one day woke up and said “I’m gonna start playing lions” and went out and did it. Yes, animals can be unpredictable, but so can driving in a car or flying on an airplane. But if you are close enough to the animal, it’s not really that dangerous.
I myself ride horses, and while not many people consider it dangerous, there are those that do. But that’s not the point. The point is, I was the first one to ride him when I was 13 when he was a stallion. People called my parents crazy, but now he’s the best horse I’ve ever had, except for the fact that i’m the only one that can ride him. Anyone else get’s bucked off. It’s the same with this guy, only a little less ordinary.
Thanks for visiting, BeccaJo.
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with your view, here.
Among many others, there are three classifications of animals: tameable, trainable, and rip your head off.
Class 2 still falls under the caveat of “be very careful, because Class 3 may emerge at any moment.” Sure, even dogs can maul people, especially kids. That doesn’t mean no one should have dogs. Logic does dictate that you don’t put 4 pitbulls with a toddler, and those dogs fall under Class 1.
I don’t understand why you think you can be close enough to a 1st generation non-rip-your-head-off animal to be considered “not really that dangerous.”
i personally think what Kevin does is amazing. He has gained the respect of lions, hyenas and many other animals that would take only the bravest of humans to tame. He doesn’t hurt them and gives them the same respect that they give him. They may be dangerous, but he trusts them and i would give up everything to be able to have his life.
He is crazy. At least to me. But my fear has no effect on what he does and i think it is pretty damn cool, what he does.
His job is just as dangerous as any other job. With mistake comes misfortune, anywhere. To say he is more inept for disaster because he has no control over the situation is wrong. He obviously does have control. He has the choice to do it or not do it.
The guy who walks into his simple job everyday, only to get gunned down by some asshole, didn’t see that coming.
The guy who climbs poles so we can have electricity respects the dangers of his job. He didnt know today would be his last day either.
At least the guy is doing what he loves. It is his passion and how can you fault him for that? I have to check out his movie. STAY SAFE!
Thanks for stopping by, dj. I’ll be checking out his movie, too.
I have to say it is a wonderful thing what he is doing for those Lions. I have always loved big cats and several times wished I could offer my help for such beautiful animals. I’m quite jealious really and mostly I would love to wish him the best in his dreams and hopes for these lions. If ever there was a way to help to better things for his lions….I would love to know.
Patti, I’m sure they would love a bunch of fresh meat.
Thanks for leaving a note.
Kevin Richardson is way different from Steve Irwin. Most importantly, he doesn’t distress his animal subjects by bugging them when they want to be left alone. In my observation, and as a former licensed “nuisance” wildlife trapper, animals are just like people: we might try to defend ourselves if we’re scared, and we certainly hate the violation of being man-handled. That Steve Irwin got killed by an animal is no surprise because he had no rapport with it yet handled it in a “might makes right” way that dominating beings do. As for his handling of commonly-feared animals like snakes, I always felt sorry for them because they were treated in an antagonistic fashion rather than being respected and left alone. Richardson is completely different. He doesn’t go into the wild and hassle animals. He has cared for his lions, hyenas, and others since they were tiny, and they know they can trust him because, it is obvious, he treats them with love and respect and affection. He maintains rapport with them and they with him.
I think people are telling him to be grazzy dont know what love for animals is!
i wrill would like to switch pleases with him.
everytime i see these kinda things my heard breaks like its my home and my family and im so far away!
please people who dont understand this kinda love just dont speak because you have no idea
thank you
I think what he does is amazing! Don’t you wish that you had the opportuninty to do that even once? I do, however, believe that he should quit while he is ahead…while he has a head.
@Andrew:
I do agree with that, but I still think he’s nuts. I’ve seen other videos of him. Check out the video of the Battle at Kruger. It’s not his video, but it’s so good, National Geographics just made an HD special out of it that played last Sunday. We recorded it if you want to come over and see it before we move.
Now wait a minute, I believe there are people in this world that are gifted with abilities to understand such wild animals while others think they do are more likely to get hurt. But like us I believe every creature, beast, mammal has a way of communication, a language, whether if its through the body or sound they have been able to survive for years fro a reason. Its not just instincts it is more than that and that people has been proven through many species. I think he does a wonderful amazing job. And if i could I would support n follow such a person for the greater good. I would want my children and grandchildren to see these animals still here as they are in teh wild when they are walking on this earth.
Yes, but lions, wolves, and hyenas have been doing fine on their own for centuries when man isn’t out hunting to eliminate danger. I don’t think we need someone to lay around with them to help them survive.
Wolves used to run rampant across Ohio and killed thousands of cattle, sheep, and children until their numbers were brought down and they moved to more secluded areas. Having someone who can live with them isn’t necessarily any reason to support and follow them, IMHO.
I think what Kevin Richardson is doing is amzing. He is doing what he loves, what else can you live for? I would also to like to clarify that he does not just walk up to WILD lions and hyenas, he has known many of them from birth and they are each in captivity. I honestly don’t understand the big deal about it, it’s not like he’s asking everybody to do what he does, he is just doing what he loves to do and there is nothing wrong with that. He is living his life to the fullest instead of wasting it doing something he hates everyday of. I say, congratulations to him for not letting what people conisder ‘normal’ or ’safe’ to stop him from living his dream.
I just saw the special on this guy on dangerous companions, it wa pretty awesome. As a fan of Craig Busch i think all people that choose to live their lives to an extreme are amazing and should be respected! Does he have a tv series or anything like that about his park? Thanks.
I need to know what is Kevin Richardson´s nationality and when did he start working whit animals.
Thanks a lot
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