CHRISTIAN THE LION, AUSTRALIA, WORLD, WORKING FOR ANIMALS (WFA), WORLD LEAGUE for the PROTECTION OF ANIMALS (WLPA), HARRY, GEORGE ADAMSON WILDLIFE PRESERVATION TRUST (GAWPT), KOALAS ETC.

Christian in the Moravian Close. Photograph Derek Cattani

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIAN!

I love this photograph of Christian. He looks so handsome and cute. We took him to this garden every afternoon on the Kings Road, Chelsea. The studios in the garden were originally Sir Thomas More’s stables. It was peaceful, usually without people, and safely enclosed. We could relax. Actually it was a graveyard for the Moravian Church, a sect that bury their dead vertically. The vicar did not mind that Christian played there, until he got bigger and Christian one day took an interest in one of his visiting grandchildren. He reacted differently to children and we always had to be very vigilant. The fact that he was growing so quickly precipitated our need to leave London. Christian was not aware of it, but already at this size we could not have controlled him if we had had to. Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna built an enclosure for him in their large garden in the country at Dorking. That was where we waited long months for permission to take him back to Africa.

Christian and Ace Eternal Hug  Artist Jaiwei Shen Oil on canvas 213cms x 167cms

The artist Jaiwei Shen painted this in 2013. He was a “propaganda” artist for the Chinese Government before he emigrated to Australia. We both lived in Bundeena, just on the edge of Sydney and I thought he wanted to meet me because I was an art curator, but it was the story with Christian that intrigued him. He has painted very famous people, often commissioned, like Princess Mary of Denmark and political figures, and has painted some quite extraordinary, huge and important “history” paintings of China. He painted a smaller, quicker portrait of me as a “study” which I like very much, and which he generously gave me.

I think it is an excellent portrait of Christian with a very good likeness. It is based on “the Hug” which is on YouTube, which is Christian jumping up into my arms – his greeting for me as I entered the enclosure in Dorking. Jaiwei said he nearly went mad painting all the fur – which he did beautifully – and he hadn’t realised the fur on lions was so varied and individual!

The Hug

“If this doesn’t make you cry you’re dead inside” – a sentiment I don’t particularly like, but our “reunion” clip with Christian in Kenya seems to be doing the rounds on Facebook, Instagram etc with this quote. The clip seems to resurface every 3 years approximately. It looks like it will go on and on…way past my life which is rather touching! See clip here

I am so heartened that many of you still contact me (see photo below) or read this blog, and that Christian remains an inspiration or important in many of your lives. Perhaps he is reminding us of the possible relationship between humans and animals. Perhaps he is just a wonderful and exceptional animal that touched so many hearts and remains a special memory to you.

A young fan reading Christian’s book

Despite so many pressing problems in the world, we still have a duty of care for animals, and I can’t help noticing the companionship and just how attentive and loving so many people are with their animals even if they walk their dogs while looking at their Iphones.

The indefatigable Jane Goodall has recently been in Australia, and now aged 90 she urges people not to give up hope and still have optimism about the survival of the animal kingdom. Good to glimpse Sir David Attenborough attending Wimbledon. What legends!

Wimbledon and the Olympics have been a welcome distraction from most of the news.

WORLD: Last year I wrote about the depressing state of the world in many respects and an almost universal failure of leadership. It is still the same unfortunately, although ironically, living back in the city I am extremely happy! The swing to populist leaders is alarming (although PM Starmer in the UK is a welcome change) especially with their lack of empathy for refugees, migrants, multiculturalism or obvious social and economic inequalities. I am proud to be described as “progressive” and “woke”, although it is a word now used so disparagingly. The ABC, our national broadcaster, is constantly under attack for “bias” especially from Rupert Murdoch’s media of all people! I find it my most trusted news source and I learn so much from a variety of programs.

Unfortunately these days there is such a gap between conservatives and progressives, amplified by our selective sources of news and information, that reaching a consensus and solving major problems, now seems out of reach. This is personified by the pre-election tussle in the USA, almost equally divided between the Trump supporters and haters, and the unbridgeable gulf between them. While Kamala Harris is an unknown quantity, Trump has proven to be too erratic and disruptive, and as has been demonstrated, is a serious threat to democratic values.

Putin undoubtedly “invaded” Ukraine, unprovoked, although he does see Ukraine joining NATO as a threat. Hamas provoked Israel in a violent deadly attack that must be condemned, but nothing happens in a vacuum, and Israel needs to examine their long unresolved relationship with the Palestinians. 700,000 settlers living in the West Bank illegally, make a “two state solution” almost impossible. The Israeli reaction has been in the eyes of many a “disproportionate” response, and while Israelis deserve to live in peace and security, on the news each night we see too many deaths of innocent Palestinian women, children, aid workers and journalists, and Gaza reduced to rubble. Anti-semitism – like Islamophobia, is to be condemned, but should not be confused with legitimate criticism.

Kimera the horse visits my friend’s house in Brazil and loves his cat and dog

AUSTRALIA: Our issues here, like much of the world, seem to be cost of living, housing shortages, debates over energy and migration, the effects of social media and AI and a shocking epidemic of domestic violence and youth crime.

It is back to the future here in Australia. The conservatives lost power at the last election, and several of their prize wealthiest electorates. But nothing has been learned. They still continue the “climate wars” and one of their few new policies is nuclear energy which is currently banned in Australia. This seems a tactic to continue with fossil fuels for decades (and we are the world’s third biggest exporter of them), and to sabotage investments in renewable energy.

You don’t have to be a scientist to observe that our weather has become increasingly extreme in both frequency and intensity around the world. We have all experienced the hottest June on record and many have suffered through heatwaves, bushfires and floods.

To me and many others, the saddest thing that happened in 2023 in Australia is that a referendum to give Aboriginal people a “Voice” to Parliament failed. It was to be advisory only and on issues that affect Aboriginal people directly. It should have been just commonsense, as they are in the best position from lived experience to know what is effective for them. They have never been properly consulted, just told what is best for them by non-indigenous bureaucrats and politicians.

The government did not conduct a good campaign, and failed to gain bi-partisanship with the conservatives, who seem to oppose everything unless it directly benefits them personally. No referendum has succeeded without bi-partisanship. It was a very unpleasant, divisive and racist debate. However 40% of Australians did support it, and a new very articulate leadership of younger Aboriginal people has emerged.

Unfortunately, the government has now lost courage and is no longer talking about a Treaty or a truth-telling commission. They are also sitting on the fence about the environment and energy and agreeing to new coal and gas fields.

Dr.Mohit at our animal shelter in Darjeeling.

WORKING FOR ANIMALS (WFA): Our two animal shelters in India continue to do wonderful work for the animals and communities in Darjeeling and Kalimpong. See our website www.workingforanimals.org.au, and our most recent newsletters for an update. Funding and sponsorship are an ongoing concern as it is for most equivalent organisations. We staged a fund raiser that included paintings by our founder Christine Townend, photographs of India by our President Jeannette Lloyd Jones, while I donated some Indian tribal artworks, particularly Madhubani works on paper. The exhibition was successful at raising awareness and funds for the shelters. We thank all those who contributed to making it a success, and particularly Adrian and Ann Newstead who own the gallery in Bondi.

I am very much looking forward to an overdue visit to India in late January 2025.

Harry

WORLD LEAGUE for the PROTECTION of ANIMALS (WLPA): After my elderly cat died last year, my niece steered me towards thinking about another cat. At the WLPA shelter there was a most handsome young black and white “tux” that behaved as the alpha male and disliked all the other cats. Of course I was immediately attracted to him. I brought Yamur home to my apartment, renamed him Harry, and he was a force of nature and one of the most charismatic cats I have ever known. He was very affectionate and engaged, but for some reason would occasionally and seemingly for no reason, bite ankles – or hands. He may have been badly treated when he was young.

I have never been unable to manage a pet before. Christian was easy in comparison – he was predictable and affectionate. Lions, unlike cats, live in prides and family harmony is important.

I consulted a very helpful cat behaviourist Chris O’Neill. You can see his blog here http://www.catology.com.au/blog/. He reminded me that cats are wild animals, even though so many colonise us effectively and affectionately.

Chris recommended medication which had no effect, and distracting toys for him etc. Unfortunately I was always on edge with visitors (and cat bites are very infectious), and after another seemingly unprovoked confrontation, I very reluctantly returned him to the shelter. I visit him every week and I think Harry finds the shelter much more stimulating with other cats (even if he doesn’t like them), and staff and volunteers coming and going, rather than just at home with me even if my apartment is very nice!  

WLPA have just moved into new premises, and Harry has a large enclosure of his own and seems to still dominate the other cats and staff. Unlike all the other cats, he is allowed out of his enclosure from time to time and roams around.  While sweet to me on my visits he still can’t resist the occasional bite to staff or volunteers so I do worry about his future, the quality of his life, and the unlikelihood of him ever being adopted. I have to admit I find the situation quite heart-breaking.

WLPA has a “no kill” policy and has quite a population of cats at the shelter that have had difficult lives, and their behavioural problems make it unlikely that they will ever be rehomed. But WLPA offer them a safe and friendly environment but of course always have to seek support and funding. Cats can be sponsored for the year for approximately $400. They have a very good success rate at rehousing many cats.

Thanks to Harry, I am now the Patron for WLPA and you can see more information on us at http://www.wlpa.org

Can anyone solve the problem of cats with this biting problem? A friend has suggested cannabis oil…..although apparently most Australian vets do not prescribe this.

We are staging a fund raiser this September 1st between 4pm and 7pm at WLPA Unit 6 41 -43 Higginbotham Road Gladesville (02 98174892) and I am going to talk about my many cats and how they have come in to my life. The highlight no doubt will be showing some photographs of Christian.

KOALAS: An excellent documentary on koalas has been made by Georgia Wallace-Crabbe and Gregory Miller. A koala is a national symbol and a very cute animal. Their very existence is threatened by forest clearing, disease, and the spread of urbanization and roads. For more information. Governments seem to express concern for their future, allot areas of land for them, then allow logging to continue!

In Australia the government has finally banned the live sheep export to the Middle East by 2028. Of course West Australian sheep farmers are objecting vociferously. A latest report on the greyhound industry that was nearly closed down a few years ago, highlights ongoing problems like the death toll on those dogs not fast enough or after their racing days. The horse racing industry faces many of the same issues. There is another campaign against puppy farms, with the health problems of many dogs from this cruel industry becoming more and more apparent.

Christian and Ace at Kora

THE GEORGE ADAMSON WILDLIFE PRESERVATION TRUST (GAWPT): After the sad death of Tony Fitzjohn who was George Adamson’s assistant for 18 years, I am very glad to hear that his wife Lucy and son Alexander are continuing Tony’s work with GAWPT. In a recent communication Lucy sent me their newsletter from 2023.

I am in awe of their achievements already and their ambitions for Kora which was of course where Kampi ya Simba camp was established for George Adamson to build a pride of lions around Christian for their rehabilitation. GAWPT, to be renamed The George Adamson and Tony Fitzjohn Wildlife Trust, is overseeing infrastructure projects, rebuilding the camp, and very importantly, working with local communities. In conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Services, they are safeguarding and rehabilitating the ecosystem, protecting and restocking wildlife, and encouraging the growth of tourism. Now there is even the Adamson Bridge over the impressive Tana River. I view the Kora National Park as yet another aspect of Christian’s legacy – HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIAN!