George Adamson of 'Born Free' fame with Christian
the Lion.
NOTE: Christian was living in the wild but as with George's other
Lion friends,
retained his trust and friendship with his respected human friend, George.
George's wife Joy Adamson wrote (using George's notes) the best selling book Born
Free.
Later the book was made into the movie Born Free. The movie Born Free won 2
Academy
Awards and was nominated for a third. It also was
nominated for 3 Golden Globe Awards.
No man who has ever lived has known more about Lions on a personal level than
George Adamson.
He lived in a remote area of Kenya, East Africa called the Kora Reserve(Now a
National Park).
Christian the Lion with his friend George
George Adamson with Girl and her cubs.
Girl was living wild but still trusted her dear friend
George with her cubs!
George Adamson watching as Ugas (always VERY sweet and affectionate)
attempts to help
him fix the Land Rover!
George Adamson and a Lion friend relax after lunch in Meru.
Even with a fresh kill George is always welcomed by his Lions friends!
This relationship of respect and trust with lions
would be proclaimed by most humans to be
an impossibility. Yet George's relationship with the lions proves that it is no
more than a sober
fact. The vast majority of wildlife documentaries show lions only as
ferocious eating machines
but that is only the human's limited knowledge of the lion. For those of us
that know of George
Adamson's wonderful relationship, we know lions are individuals and many are quite
capable of
an affectionate, respectful relationship of friendship with their human and
lion friends.
George's early walks with the lions introduced them
to all the sights, sounds and smells of their new world.
George walking with Boy and Christian
Virginia McKenna and George Adamson with Ugas
Virginia and her husband Bill Travers played the parts of Joy and George Adamson in
the award
winning movie Born Free. During the filming of the movie Virginia and Bill
became very close friends with George.
This photo was taken during the filming of the delightful movie "An Elephant
Called Slowly" which
is available on both DVD and on Video. This photo was provided
in 2005 by Virginia McKenna
who along with her husband Bill founded Zoo Check.
Ugas helping George and Bill Travers work on the Land Rover!
Boy enjoying a ride back to camp on the reinforced roof of George's Land Rover.
George lifting Boy's paw so he can close the door of his Land Rover without hurting
Boy.
Bill Travers (on the other side of the Land Rover), had to lift Boy's tail to close
his door!
George in his dining hut.
George Adamson
George Adamson and Bill Travers
George walking with Boy the Lion
George at stream wacthing his Lions
George Adamson with his good friend Bill Travers.
The two good friends are enjoying an afternoon with the Lions.
George smoking his pipe and relaxing with his Lion friends.
Boy relaxing with his friend George Adamson.
Even at a kill George was entirely welcome!
Trust....Affection....Friendship...
George Adamson and Boy the Lion taking a nap in the shade of a tree.
NO other human has ever established the loyalty, friendship and trust of lions
that are living wild and still retained this absolutely remarkable,
intimate relationship.
Sadly we shall never see this kind of person again. George Adamson was
a one-of-a-kind.
A man not only at peace with free living lions, but also their friend.
George showed the world what man could do
with Love
even when dealing with what some would call, ferocious wild animals.
And the lions showed us they are not just eating machines as portrayed
in most tv nature programs, but individuals with a wide range of qualities,
capable of varied emotions, deep trust and lasting friendship.
George with Christian(top Left) and Boy
Boy had been severely bitten on the back but despite his great pain
he still allowed his wonderful friend George to treat his wounds.
Christian seemed to understand and laid quietly nearby as if to give moral
support.
See their true story in the movie/documentary titled "Christian the
Lion".
|
George Adamson with his first Lioness friend, Elsa.
Elsa died with her head in George's lap.
He wrote in his biography of the great pain and sadness which he felt at her loss.
Many visitors to Meru National Park (In Kenya East Africa) still go to visit Elsa's
grave.
See photos of Elsa's final resting place on this website.
George getting an affectionate BIG hug from Elsa.
He said Elsa was like a child to him.
George Adamson with Arusha from Rotterdam.
George Adamson with his beloved lions.
These Lions were living free and yet still remained George's friends.
George maintained an almost unbelievable relationship with Lions,
based on mutual respect and friendship.
Photo taken by his good friend
actor/conservationist, Bill Travers.
The Christian
Science Monitor wrote, |
George Alexander Graham Adamson
Some of the photos on this page were provided by Virginia McKenna.
She and her husband Bill Travers, stars of the movie Born Free,
founded the Zoo Check/BornFreeFoundation.
More photos of George Adamson
Several
Photos From Virginia McKenna
and
George Adamson photos -
Page 2
and
'Kampi ya Simba' Photos
- Page 3
and
Miscellaneous
George Adamson Photos - Page 4
Read about George Adamson
..... a truly unique 'Gentleman'
Read About The
'Father of Lions'
NOTE: This is a NOT for profit site
dedicated to conservationist George Adamson.
If you have any information about items pertaining to George or Joy
or if you have photos of or letters from George or Joy,
please share with others by donating their use on this non profit site.
Please scan a copy of the item(s) and send by
If you are looking for a particular book or film
related to the Adamsons,
feel feel to ask and perhaps we can direct you where to locate the item.
We do NOT sell ANY items from this site and can only direct to places
that might have items.
Bibliography:
List of Books, Videos and Articles....Information
A commemorative statue was made in Honor of George Adamson.
See the 'Collectibles' page on this web site for this and other memorabilia.
Photos
Page 1 Photos Page 2 Photos (KampiYaSimba) Page 3 Photos Page 4
Photos From
Virginia Videos/DVDs/Audio/Books/Artwork Bibliography Elsa Tribute
Read
About George Joy Adamson Books Born Free Lyrics & Midi Links