Our next adventure was a walk with lions in a Rehabilitation Center run by donations for the purpose of returning young lions to the wild. The process takes several years and to date there have been no successful returnees. However, it appears that a pride may soon be ready for complete release. People (ourselves included) pay quite a bit for tickets to spend an afternoon with the lions, knowledgeable guides, several handlers and an armed guard whose job it is to protect the guests from any large animals that might approach from the surrounding area.
We all got to pet the 18 month old lionesses that were ready to be moved to the next phase in their rehabilitation and then to walk behind them for quite a while. This was a little zoo-like for us but certainly a way for the Center to generate revenue. The handlers were obviously very fond of the animals who were well-treated. I believe the cubs were either orphaned or born in captivity. Still it felt a little bit like when I saw the tribal dancers who swung into action as soon as the crowds disgorged from the airport. Oh yes, this is the Africa these tourists want to see.
You can see how wonderful these lions were if you get a chance to look at my photos on Facebook. The older pair were the ones we walked with and we got to pet the younger pair (less than a year old) but I decided instead to look with my eyes. The guide said the younger ones were very naughty. I liked that.
We all got to pet the 18 month old lionesses that were ready to be moved to the next phase in their rehabilitation and then to walk behind them for quite a while. This was a little zoo-like for us but certainly a way for the Center to generate revenue. The handlers were obviously very fond of the animals who were well-treated. I believe the cubs were either orphaned or born in captivity. Still it felt a little bit like when I saw the tribal dancers who swung into action as soon as the crowds disgorged from the airport. Oh yes, this is the Africa these tourists want to see.
You can see how wonderful these lions were if you get a chance to look at my photos on Facebook. The older pair were the ones we walked with and we got to pet the younger pair (less than a year old) but I decided instead to look with my eyes. The guide said the younger ones were very naughty. I liked that.
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