Kimmy’s Comments – the lion park

So, Janice works sometimes at this amazing lion park near Port Elizabeth. Mike took us there over the w/e to see the lions. I’ve been reading Life of Pi which seemed very appropriate to all this(those who’ve read it will agree).

Firstly we checked out the grown up lions. We saw some magnificent white lions living in a big gated park. Just when you’re looking at a lion and your mind wonders thinking what a beautiful creature she is, she quickly reminds you who is boss with a snarl of growl. One dusty brown coloured female got very cross when we drove past her and nearly pounced on the hire car. Shudder.

Then we went up to the place where the 9 month old cubs lived. Before we had time to make excuses and decline, we were being led in to the cubs den by the very able ‘Dee’ (‘The Lion Tamer’ I think should be his real name). Now, at 9 months these things are huge. I’d describe them as being much like a big big Alsatian but in a lion costume with kick ass lion talons big enough to mall you to death comfortably if they so wished.

One seemed quite placid, lying on a raised wooden platform at eye level. Dee calmly strolled over (with me Pete and mike scuttling along behind) and started stroking the cubs back and holding his paw revealing the talons of doom and destruction. Dee’s shirt sleeves were rolled up and I noticed some nasty scratches (Dee told me later that they were courtesy of one of the cubs a few wks prior, all part of the job description).

Meanwhile the other three or maybe four lion cubs were creeping up to us from behind to check us out. To me it seemed like they were crouching down to pounce. Apparently they were just being playful, and Dee simply pushed them firmly away and threw a big log over the other way which amused them for a while. He told us that these cubs were being moved to the massive grown up enclosure/fields place in a few days as they were getting a bit raucous. Awesome...and we were in a big enclosure with them why?

After leaving that lot, the offer of holding the younger cubs seemed like a walk in the park, and quickly we found ourselves surrounded by the cutest most wonderful baby lions, like giant domestic cat sized cubs. I’ll attach a picture. Their faces are so beautiful. One was called Bob Marley, another Dutch. I held one, she was gorgeous, I was terrified, they still growl when they’re little. Not quite a roar yet mind.

They had advised we wore dull plain clothes but Pete forgot that rule when he donned his bright blue crocs on his feet. Bad move Pete. They all liked Pete’s blue crocs a lot. They chewed the ends and attempted to sink in to Peters toes. Still, it took the attention away from my feet which were protected by only my flip flops so I was kind of relieved. Thanks Pete.

My conclusion...Lions rock, but are not to be messed with. They are the king of the jungle and not to be messed with.