Born to Be Free

George Adamson, the grand old lion man of Africa, was murdered by Somalian ivory poachers in 1989. Before his tragic death, at the age of 83, Adamson was rehabilitating back into the wild three orphaned lion cubs, Batian, the male, Furaha and Rafiki, the two sisters. Their mother was shot for preying on cattle when they were just two days old. When George died, no one knew what to do with the cubs, especially since the Kenyan government decided to close down the Kora National Park because of increased poaching. It seemed almost certain that they would end up either in a zoo or be put down.

Gareth Patterson, who worked with George just before his death, shared a similar passion for the lion, having studied the fragile population still surviving in the remote Tuli bushlands of Botswana. Gareth came to the rescue. He translocated the lions from Kora to the Tuli bushlands some 3000 km to the south.

This is a story of the subsequent rehabilitation, the tragedies, the triumphs, and the controversy surrounding the actual translocation of the lions.

(Running time: 50 minutes)

Cost: 25 pounds

For information:
lionmanofafrica@comcast.net

Shadows of Gold and Gray

Lion Man of Africa, Gareth Patterson, lives among shadows of gold and gray, among the lions and elephants in an African wilderness called Tuli. In this documentary, you are invited to enter Gareth's world, meet his lions, and share his intimate relationship with them. Along the way, become acquainted also with the life of the African elephant, as Gareth tells the story of those great herds--mighty symbols of liberty in this harsh land.

In "Shadows of Gold and Grey,"
you will share Gareth's grief and outrage over the human threat facing his beloved lions and elephants, as he clearly points out the desperate need for greater protection of the Tuli bushlands and those who dwell there. Share also his hope as he describes how the Tswana communities can become part of a new philosophy of conservation for this wilderness. Learn how a program of eco-tourism could be an essential tool for the mutual benefit of all Tuli inhabitants, while helping to ensure that these magnificent creatures do not become shadows of the past, but remain a living presence in the land for generations to come.

(Running time: 57 minutes)

(Temporarily Unavailable)

Images and Sounds of the Wilderness

Now available is the wildlife/art/music video entitled "Images and Sounds of the Wilderness" Produced by Gareth's friends, Mwana Bermudes and Nelda Villines, this video was filmed in various wildlife areas in Southern Africa over the course of several years. It is a tribute to the spirit of Mother Earth and her passionate protectors, the true environmentalists of the past and present, without whom we would certainly have no wilderness left to contemplate.

(Running time: 16 minutes)

Cost: $18.00 including shipping and handling

For more information on this delightful video, please contact Mwana and Nelda at:

kizumba@africaonline.co.zw