Nettmøtet er avsluttet. Les svarene fra John Rendall nedenfor.

Fantastic

I just love all cat-animals so this was fantastic to see. My question is... How did Christians "wife" come to you?? did Christian call her down or what? Thank you for caring for this beautiful lion.
Innsendt av: lars jonny eliasen

The lionesses followed Christian down, trusting him as they normally do in the wild. If the male goes, they follow.
It was extraordinary that they should follow him towards humans they did not know.
Thanks for all the interesting questions and I hope you have a chance to see me on Skavlan tonight and meet me tomorrow at one o'clock at grensen Libris in Oslo!

John
 

Lion Christian

was it legal to have a lion in london in an appartement so in the city?
how did u get the idea to rais a lion?
and is the video klip the last time u saw him, or did u see him again?
Innsendt av: Henriette

In the UK it was legal in 1969, and until 1973. In America people seem to be able to keep animals in apartments. I kep reading about terrible accidents.. tigers in apartments. That has to be a recipe for disaster.

John
 

dogs?

did any unexperienced dogs mistake him for beeing a cat while he was a 'kitten'? if so.. did they survive?
Innsendt av: Øyvind

WE kept him away from dogs. He was interested in them but dogs were frightened of him... they were confused by his small I suppose.
Therefore we took no chances.

John
 

Unusual life

Wow, not many lions get that exotic experience growing up! Do you ever know what happened to him in the end?

Boudewijn, Trondheim
(And Chelsea-supporter)
Innsendt av: Boudewijn Thomas Schjetne

He disappeared into the wild in Kenya 1973... to the life he was born for but could never had been predicted by his birth in captivity in England.

John
 

Behavior at home

Again, thanx for sharing an amazing story! A beautiful animal, and a beutiful omment caught on tape :)
My questions:
How did Christian deal with you having visitors in your home? Did he ever roar?
Innsendt av: Tine Paulsen

Christian loved having visitors. But he didn't like everyone. He was very astute with his character assessments. If he didn't like you he would simply ignore that person.. no matter what they did to try and attract his attention.
He was particularly naughty with people who were frightedned of him.
He would wait until they had 'relaxed' and then sneak up on them.

John
 

Hello :)

Thank you for a beautiful story.

I'm have Christian on my facebook.

Have a nice day here in Oslo.
Innsendt av: AK

And what a beautiful day.
We Aussies love beautiful weather... where there is no dust storm!

John
 

I utterly LOVED the movie

and have wached it many times, and have shown it to coworkers, family and friends.

Do U think other people should atempt what U did ?
Innsendt av: Ivar Mikkelsen

Definitely not.
We were so lucky.
But, you can adopt a lion at a zoo and visit regularly.. they will get to know you and remember you.
Zoos have made huge cganges to the old Victorian prison style zoo. They are now centres of research and imoprtatnt gene pools for endangered species.

John
 

Moments

I was wondering, what was the funniest moments you had when you lived with the lion?
Innsendt av: Anne-Karen

Once I went round to collect a girlfriend. She was still in the bath so Christian and I were waiting in her sitting room. He got bored though and wandered down the hall, to the bathroom. The girlfriend was not best pleased when Chriistian decided he need ot have a drink from the bath... despite her being in it. She gave such a scream poor christian came belting uop the hall... the only time I think he was ever frightened,.

John
 

Lion

How was it to live with a lion? What did he eat?
Innsendt av: Geir

Food?
LOTS.
4 meals a day. Two liquid, faex baby food, raw eggs, vitamins; and two solid, meat, bone meal, marrow.

John
 

Unusual but wonderful pet!

Did it ever occur to you that you would have to part from Christian when you bought him?
Innsendt av: Tine Paulsen

Yes we always knew we were only temporary guardians. We just hoped we could find him a safe home.. little did we dream it would be in Africa where his ancestors had come from.

John
 

Animals

Hi:) Do you have any animals that live with you?
Innsendt av: Hanne

I have three children!
Beleive me.. lions are EASIER:

John
 

Løven Christian

Innsendt av: Eva Arntzen

John
 

Hi

I've cried so many times seeing this video. This just shows how much vi know about the animal mind.

I envy your experience !!
Innsendt av: Annette

Gald you had a good 'sniff'.
ME too.
XX

John
 

Stor Katt

Jeg ser for meg at det å leve med en løve, vil være noe av det samme som å leve med en stor katt med stor appetitt. Stemmer det? Eller krever det en del my mer? (da tenker jeg alt annet en artskunskap om løver)
Innsendt av: Kjell

Yes... lions are just like VERY big cats. But also they have some canine qualities. They are not solitary like some cats (tigers don't even like other tigers..if you see tigers tiogeter they are probably mother and cub ) and always want to be with people.

John
 

Beautiful Story

I have not heard this story until now, and I'm so touched and happy that you guys treated this lion so well. And the picture in the wild, where the lion is huging you...brigs happy tears to my eyes. All tho it might be difficult to compare - do you raise a lion like dog, with dicipline and affection - or how did you do it? What was the biggest challenge with raising a lion? The ethicas aspect?


Innsendt av: Rita Harrison

The biggest challenge with Christian was to keep him safe and healthy. We could never take any chances that he might get out onto a road, meet other animals or children. In fact Christian was fine with chikdren but other lions are not).

John
 

Which book?

I have heard there is written two books of Christian the lion. An old and a new one. I really want to read the whole story, so which one of the two books do you recommend?

What is the best memory you have of Christian while he was living in your home?
Innsendt av: Anne Marie

The original book wa spubløished in 1970.. before the reunion.
The latest editionincludes the reunion and other information.
There are also Younger readers editions and now a Christian Pricture book for the very young.
In every edition we have given information about the GEORGE ADASMONtRUST AND STREES THE IMPRTANCE OF INCREASING THE AWARENESS OF THE NEED TO PRESERVE THESE WILD ANIMLS AND THEIR ENVROMENT,.
Come get your signed copy of the Norwegian edition, En løve ved navn Christian, at Grensen Libris tomorrow at 1!

John
 

To take care of a lion

Hello John,

I saw the video with you and the lion on you tube. I think especcially when you met the lion again after so long time and the lion recognized you, was very toucing.

Do you think anybody could have a lion in their appartment and manage to take care of it when the lion gets older and grows up, or is that just impossible because of the lions nature and their need to be outside in the wild nature?
Innsendt av: Cyrille Nolin

A lion in an apartment is asking for trouble.
We coukld only have Chriastian in London because we had a huge basenment for hinm and a wondeful garden.. and 7 of us to look after him
And even that was not enough by the time he was a year old.
Apartments. No.

John
 

The Most Beautiful Animal in the World

I've always wanted a Giraffe as a pet.

I live on the 3. floor and have a veranda, so feeding it shouldn't be a problem. I've also considered buying the apartment above and remove the floor so I can have it indoors, but I'm not sure Giraffes like to climb stairs.

Do you have any advice?
Innsendt av: Bolleh

A big comittment!
You must go to Giraffe Manor in Kenya... Daphne Sheldrick has her giraffes in the garden


John
 

After the second meeting in Africa..

You said that was the last time you ever saw him in the documentary..Do you know if he was accepted by the wild lions, and if he had a long life with them- or if he got killed?
I think this is the most amazing story, it has toucht something deep in my heart!
And I admire that you took the choice you took about setting him free the way you did.
I can truly see that you loved him deeply- and him you ♥♥♥
Innsendt av: Hilde Skjær

We know that was healthy and confident when he left Kora in 1973.
George had prepeared him well.
There is every reason to beleive that he lived out a natural life in Meru National Park.

John
 

about christian

how is it go have a almost grown up lion in your house? and do you miss him?
Innsendt av: silje

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PBqv-G2snA

Yes I do miss him.
My daughter made this clip fpr me
Hope you enjoy it.

John
 

Hi John Rendall =)

Hi, I have seen a documentary about Christian and was very touched, I thought it was a little funny when you had their last evening together, he was the "party" all night and then he went to his female:)
how much money you spent on him? and you know how it went with him?
Sorry for the bad english, hope you understand most
Innsendt av: Hans Anton Kristiansen

Christian did love spending time with us and George in his camp at Kora. Lions are incredibly sociable... you rarely see a lion alone. If you do something is wrong. They live in prides.. always sleeping on top of each other, playing and wrestling. Christian was a typical lion, with the exception that he had a humad pride as well.

John
 

Harrods

Hi, John. Love the story about Christian!

But I do wonder, why did Harrods sell exotic animals that obviously wasn't ment to grow up in England? What other weird and wild animals did they sell?

Have a lovely day :)
Innsendt av: Benedicte

Until the 1973 Endangfered Species Act stopped the trading in exotic animals they sold pumas, tapirs, chimps and even found an elephant for someone.
Glad to say no longer.

John
 

Have you met him since?

I wonder if you have seen Christian since that time? If you have seen him several times, does he always remember you?

You won't believe how many times I've seen the video of the reunion, and I'm crying every single time. It's beautiful!
Innsendt av: Lisa

Hi Lisa,

see earlier answers... he remembered us again in 1972 when we saw him again.
See if you can find the YOutube clip.. Final reunion.. it is the footage from 1972

John
 

Christian

This is my favourite story between man and animal. That reunion must have been the most emotional moment ever. What did it feel like when Christian put his enormous paws around your neck and gave you a big cuddle at "the reunion"?
Innsendt av: Tor

Glad you enjoyed the reunion film footage.
To have 300lbs of lion cuddle you is an amazing experience, and memory.

John
 

Har alltid lurt på

Er den tung å holde sånn? Har alltid lurt på hva et menneskes sjanser er 1 mot 1 mot en løve. Til tross for at Animal Planet sier "ok, du har ikke sjans, idiot, du burde heller løpe selv om den er 3x raskere enn deg, gg no re", så lurer man stadig på om man trener nok og blir stor nok, så kunne man overlevd på savannen. ^^
Innsendt av: Al(l)men(n)

In the wild a lion would rearely attack a human being. They are smart. They know that if you kill a human people will come and hunt them down.
Man eating lions are usually old or ill and desparate.
For the same reason they rarely attack domestic cattle.
Lionms who kill domestic cattle get killed.
A lion can weight 500 lbs (though Christian was perhaps 600lbs) but they are not as aggressive as tigers or leopards.

John
 

dear john

Did you deep down inside believe that Christian would recognize you ? And werent you afraid that his companion would kill you?
Innsendt av: Andrea Jenssen

Never doubted he would recognise us.
We were rather concerned re those lionesses though. They had been captured as cubs and had no love for humans. Even Geore was amazed when they greeted us.

John
 

Wisdom of life- living with Christian

Working with sheep myself i know animals can teach you a ting or two about life.

Looking back now what kind of wisdom did Christian pass on to you and Anthony ?

Thank you for saving him at Harrods that day !

love Camilla



Innsendt av: Camilla

Christian taught us that total committment to another entity is an incredible rewarding experience. Christian took up all our time, work yes, but entertaining and exciting. he was never dull.

John
 

Smart animals

I saw the documentary on Christian a little while ago, and it was very moving. I wasn't really surprised that he recognised you. I know from experience that regular domestic cats have no problems recognising people (e.g. me) after being away for a year.

That being said; the moment of reunion was a real tear jerker. I just think it's sad that you never saw him again.

Thanks for sharing your memories of Christian:-)


Innsendt av: Lisbeth

Animals have excellent memories. You are right. Lions certainly remember people for years.. people they like and... very significantly, people they don't like!

John
 

Jesus!

In that video, were you not afraid you would get mauled? In any case its a really cool video. That being said, in Norway we have a terrible system where something called 'mattilsynet' looks after animal rights. Mattilsynets main task is to make sure food is healthy and not polluted etc, and these people are also in charge of making sure pets are not treated poorly. Its madness. We need some type of law enforcement for animals, an animal police of some sort whos main job is to expose and arrest people who abuse animals. I'm specially thinking about dog breeders. There are many crazy people out there that never should be allowed to breeed dogs. There have been many examples of breeders that has been exposed as dog abusers, yet the incompetant mattilsynes doesnt do anything but maybe give them a slap on the wrist and possibly a fine. If you ever talk to a Norwegian politician please adress this issue. I'm a dog owned myself and I think its absurd. We already got a facebook group, but thats obviously not enough.


Innsendt av: Tom K

In the UK we have the Roayl Society for the Protection of Animals. They frequently and successfully prosecute people who abuse animals.
I just cannot conceive how anyone can abuse animals.. they share our world, they love us trust work with us.
see
georgeadamson.org
for the work I am supporting but the Turst's work is not restricted to exotic animals.

John
 

Good stuff

Great and uplifting story, but why did that horrible Whitney Houston song had to be tagged on at the climax of the YouTube video?
Innsendt av: Botherer of Bananas

DearBrother,
I think we have revived Whitney's career!
She has re released the single.

John
 

Great story!

What part of this amazing experience with Christian do you appreciate the most? Do you think Christian recognized you the last time you met him?

Ps I will definitely buy your book! Can't wait to read it! Enjoy your stay in Norway!
Innsendt av: SylDil

Yes Christain a did recognise us.
I am enjoying my first trip to Oslo
Thanks, I hope you enjoy the book


John
 

Hei!

Var dere ikke redde for at løven skulle gjøre dere noe? Var det liksom ikke skummelt å få en så svær løve opp på seg? Men den ser jo veldig snill ut, selv om jeg ALDRI hadde turt å gjøre det der.
Innsendt av: Nora

When you see an old friend you haven't seen for a year you instantly know how that friend feels when they see you. You just know they are glad to see you and want to give you a hug.
That's what it was like with Christian.
We instantly knew he was glad to see us.

John
 

right choice?

do you feel you did the right choice for the lion, letting him out with the wild lions?
Did you have observers checking in on him regularly after this filmed meeting? Did you ever visit him again? And do you know how he did/ coped in the long run?
Innsendt av: hilde

Itv was the right choice for Christian. He had every advatage though.. he was healthy, intelligent, had a loving temprament and of course the wisdom of George Adamson to guide him in Africa.
We have expanded on this in the book

John
 

Goooosebumbs!

I loooove and admire BIG CATS, and your story is one that has a happy ending! It actually gives me goosebumbs! There are many large cats who are not so lucky: http://www.wisconsinbigcats.org. I visited this place this summer, and I really admire people for doing this!

How do you think we can get to know more about these beautiful animals? Do you think it is possible to tame large cats like wolves has been tamed into dogs? We have three cats at home (small ones), but they will never be as tame as a dog, and trust me, I have tried!! :-)

What about Sigfried and Roy, do you support what they do?
Innsendt av: FTG

It is possible to have these relationships btu it should not be encouraged. We were incredibly lucky with Christian... he had the ideal solution for his later life. Sadly most exotic animals raised out of the wild do not have such a wonderful chance.
We can live together with wild animals... sharing our environment.. but with respect to each other's needs and space. Over 50% of the game live outside game parks in Kenya.... human beings can enjoy theses wild animals without attempting to tame them.

John
 

Great story!

What part of this amazing experience with Christian do you appreciate the most? Do you think Christian recognized you the last time you met him?

Ps I will definitely buy your book! Can't wait to read it! Enjoy your stay in Norway!
Innsendt av: SylDil

I last saw Christian in 1972 and once again he was excited to see us and recognised us.
He was three years old then and more mature so, like all young fellows he was doing his teenager thing and tring not to be to soppy!

John
 

A happy ending

I would just like to add that this is a sweet story with a happy ending! It makes me happy to think about ! I have got a dvd with Christian already , I'm a big fan! It makes me happy to know that he got a real lionlife in Kenya after all! Lots of love, Nina
Innsendt av: Nina

Thanks for kind message.
I will be at Grensen Libris at 1 o'clock tomorrow signing books.
XXX

John
 

Takk John

Hei John,Jeg vil takke deg for den vakre videoen du står bak som sirkulerer på nettet.
Hva tenkte du når du møtte Christian for første gang igjen?Og hva tenkte du når den begynte småspurte mot dere?

Mvh

Kris
Innsendt av: Kris

The moment we saw Christian at the top of the rock we recognised the body language we knew so well. He was not stalking, he was walking confidently, full of curiousity. Lions show their emotions very obviously. He was not in 'attack' mood!
Once we called him he realised it was us and strted to run.
Only danger was that a 300 lb lion, running at 20 mph is quite a force. That's why we are slightly braced, but not out of any fear that he would harm us.

John
 

Christian

Hi John Rendall.
How was it to have a lino in your home??, and how was it to let him back in to the natur knowing that he maybe would not survive??

Helene
Innsendt av: Helene Leiros

Living with a lionn is a full time job!
Christian's human pride consisted of Ace, myself, my girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Mary, the two friends who owned the shop wehre we worked and lived, our cleaner Kay (Christian used to steal her dusters) and a girl called Unity Jones who had had a lioness in Rome.
We had to take a chance re Christian returning to Africa but George Adamson was the world expert on rehabilitating lions and he was confident it would work.'He was right.

John
 

Takk John

Innsendt av:

Thank you too!


John
 

Christian and you

Knowing what u do now about living with a lion, would u do it all over again?
How has Christian effected ur life - thinking of living beings on this planet and the preservation of them etc?
Innsendt av: Pernille Velling

No, I wouldn't do it again but Christian did change my life because I am a Trustee of the George Adamson Wildlife Preseervation Trust, founded when George was murdered in 1989.
The Trust continues George's work at the Mkomazi Game Reserve in Tanzania, and plan tio return to Kora National Park where Christian was rehabilitated.
The Trust has built schools around these national parks to help local children further appreciate the øocal wildlife.

John
 

Harrod's

G'day,

First of all thanks so much for sharing this amazing story with the world. The video clip from your first reunion with Christian in Africa is one of the most moving pieces of video I've ever seen. It's so obvious that he recognised you both. Amazing animal.

Now, my main question is, how did it go about that there was a lion for sale at Harrod's? This obviously wouldn't happen today, but what was it like back then? Was Christian the only exotic animal for sale or was this commonplace?

And a bonus question; did you ever get injured living with Christian, or was it mainly minor scratches and bruises like those of a regular house cat?

Thank you for your time and have a great day.

Regards,
Vidar
Innsendt av: Vidar

Harrods were able to sell exotic animals in 1969. No longer.
There were many less regulations in those days and Harrods sold a wide variety of exotic animals. Now only cats and dogs!
We never had any accidents with Christian but we always planned where we were going with him and made sure he could never be frightened or in danger.

John
 

Where is Christian now?
Innsendt av: Lars

In the wild lions live to 10/12 years. We last heard of Christian when he was 4 years old and successfully living in the wild in Kenya. There is every reason to beleive he lived for another 10 years.
In captivity lions will live to 20 plus years but it is a sad sight.

John
 

Hvordan føltes det?

Hvordan føltes det å møte Christian igjen?
Innsendt av: Maria Petersen

It was a euphoric moment. Lions and human beings greeting each other as equals.

John
 

Naive hippies

did it never ring any bells at that time, when You brought an african lion inhouse? Never occured to anyone that this killing machine could grow any bigger? And then what?

Was the time of the 60's more naive than today? I am thinking of the facts that bringing wild creatures as pets is both a danger to the reality around us, and bringing them out of their territory is a wrong thing to do. I would think this never could occur today...
Innsendt av: Kalle Kanin

You're absolutely right. We were naïve but we couldn't leave this beautiful animal in a samll cage.
We always knew we could only look after him for a limited time and would never attempt anything similar again.
George Adamson's offer to rehabilitate Christian was the dream solution to Christian's future.
Since the introduction of the Endangered Species Act in 1973 (in the UK) it is no longer possible to buy any exotic animal.

John
 

hva skjedde videre med løven?

Hva skjedde videre med Christian? Levde den lenge og gikk det ok med den i forhold til flokken den var i? Traff dere han senere også?
Innsendt av: mari Stavik

Ace and I saw Christian again in 1972 but he was last seen in 1973.
He was then old enough and strong enough to set off into the wild and establish his own territory.
The local lions at Kora would not make room for Christian's pride, though they came to a mutual respect situation, Christian crossed the Tana River and headed for the Meru National Park where there was more game and less competition for territory.
George Adamson had heard Christian mating so we know his genes were passed on and we never had a report of Christian being poached or killed.
We would have heard.
He was much bigger than wild lions and all the Africans in the area knew that George had a special lion.



John
 

The most beautiful story I`ve ever heard!

How much did Christian cost? Did you think it through? I mean, lions grow really fast, they need a lot of space and food.. It must have been quite an experience living with Christian; wasn`t there a sister of Christian for sale at Harrods as well? Do you know what happend to her? My last question: When he recognised you after a year in Africa: That must have been on of the best moments in your life? I cry every time I see that scene.
Innsendt av: Jannicke H

Christian cost 250 guineas in 1969. (aoorox 5,000 pounds today! (He was worth every penny.
We did think it through before we actually picked him up from Harrods. They made us wait three wekks before we actually took him back to the shop in London where he lived.
Christian's sister was sold to a man who sold her to someone else quite soon after he had bou8ght her. Unfortanately we never knew where she went to live.
Finding Christian in 1971 was a euphoric moment. Even George Adamson was amazed by the enthusiasm of Christian's greeting.

John
 

Hi John : )

What a great thing you guys had him video taped back in the day so we are able to enjoy him now, even after all those years! I truly envy you and Aces time in London during the 60's. If I had been there I surely would have done the same thing.

The animals are here to teach us about the divine and Christians lovely spirit reminds me so much of my own cat and I dread the day he will no longer be with me. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story about love between animals and people!

I wish you a wonderful autumn day in Oslo!
Will you be doing a book signing in Oslo?



Innsendt av: Lou 24 Oslo

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts. Christian was a very special lion and >Ace and i were privelidged to have been able to look after him.
I will be at Grensen Libris in Oslo tomorrow at 1 - . Hope you can pop in and get a signed copy of the book


John