Christian the Lion - 2008 Australian Interview - 1st half

John Rendall and Ace Bourke talk with Kerri-Anne on Mornings in Australia about raising Christian, releasing him and the visits they made after his release. First half of interview.

[@sunshineandcosmo]

oh my gosh i cried at seeing this, but a wonderful cry

[@PAPASCHICCEN]

i love this, my pastor at the dream center introduced us to this, the msg? love has no boundaries!!!

[@franlalor8575]

This video was so heart warming. Made me cry. Your taught to think that lions are wild cause naturally they are and they would harm u or even kill u but this video proves differently. They raised him from a cub and showed him love and gave his freedom back. their bond will not be forgotten. Its truly amazing. I hope christian had an amazing life.

[@pinaypieish]

very inspiring.. im so proud to those people who do take care of Christian.. i never thought that a wild animal like a lion can interpret to human like that.. im following this story of yours.. ill be waiting for the next episode... keep us update. thank you and Godbless (Ace, Jhon, Boy, George & Christian.. :))

[@georgiehollander2199]

One of the most beautiful stories ever !!!

[@pingy1030]

These 2 guys are such beautiful souls. They have so much heart and Christian was lucky to have been with them, and vice versa. The interviewer on the other hand is annoying as hell and needs to talk less.

[@kheian09]

I cant stop crying...... very Inspiring,.... hope all people like them...

[@stevelewis3]

Plasser I had the great fortune to meet John and Ace. I didnt sob but I came close. Christian was one lucky Lion to have been cared for by these two men. Let us not ever forget Goerge Adamson.

[@60BloodyChamp60]

I'm glad to see additional info and updates on ole Christian as years have passed.

[@JudyDeed]

I have a big ole crush on Ace too. I watch him and Christian over and over. What a delight, an awesome delight to see what honest love really is.

[@suge2000]

Fabulous posting (you have what appears to be the full interview). What a delight and joy to watch. Thank you.

[@blasabb]

The most beautifull story ever. I cry my eyes out every time I watch it. And I always watch it around christmas so it's about that time again. Two very good people and a wonderful and amazing lion. Wow.....

[@RoonJazz]

Decent men - wish there were more like them, with their good sense. And such a lucky lion, to have escaped the fate of so many wild creatures that suffered at human hands over the years.

[@rodbow66]

Incredible Humans, Incredible Lion and what a BEAUTIFUL testimony to the BEAUTY OF REAL LOVE! Absolutely Amazing!!! I am donating to the trust right after I leave here....Thank you for posting this interview. God Bless.

[@Fonzi79]

He loved Ace more.. They say cats usually pick one they are more connected with... That's amazing that Christian came back a day before they guys came and did it twice!

[@ame29401]

Thank you for posting this. I really enjoyed listening.

[@S67906]

thank you so much

[@ChopinBrocoli]

This is an example we all could learn by. Even though we (humans & animals) all have our differences in stature, our role in our environment, our social status....it doesn't matter. As long as we care, love and respect each other, nothing else matters. It is all remembered. This is a true love story between people that care and love, and an animal that cares, loves, and remembers. Thanks for sharing!!

[@thecatatemyhomework]

Thanks for posting this. I've been looking foward to seeing it. They are great guys. Still helping animals. I made a contribution to the George Adamson Trust. With all the joy they've given me watching and learning about Christian, that's the least I could do.

[@suffolk2325]

Wonderful to hear the story from Ace and John themselves.

[@TheCabIe]

Stuff like these inspire me so much.. Animals may act on their instincts more than humans, but story like this shows that they are capable of so much more.Showing that sort of love towards humans wasn't out of pure instinctive affection to the people who fed him, he was already living in the wild and could survive on his own. Just awesome

[@OlgaMariaMaria]

What a gentle, kind and beautiful people are these 2 guys, they took him back to his roots in Africa where he belongs! I hope Christian had a wonderful life in his habitat! Love u guys!

[@disturbedindividual2087]

OlgaMariaMaria but he went missing he was more liking killed by poachers it's sad to know but it probably happened

[@BattousaiHimura03]

@124580b Man, that Lion is an animal that deserves respect and admiration, and how he remembered who raised him shows that animals have consciousness, memory and personality... if I were those 2 guys I'd completely cry 'till I fell apart And is a shame that humanity is doomed by its own hands... we're destructing ourselves

[@mygreatlovenova]

What a beautiful story. I love it!!!!!!!!

[@mommadoodoes]

this is the best thing i have ever seen

[@WoodRatGirl]

Thanks for uploading this interview :)

[@dkfelix]

Thank you!

[@marvothemustang]

Man what a great interview, so much better than the TODAY SHOW.

[@mountainserenity]

Ace and John are first-rate human beings for caring for Christian and then returning him to the wild under the tutelage of one who knew how to do it. My hat is off to all three of these men. No wonder Christian loved them so much!

[@Naturalhit]

Awesome vid.

[@tricmatt]

tes5000 - wake up!! Post the 2nd half! BTW, thankyou for posting this at all, it's so wonderful to see other photos and hear their experience.

[@Priest]

Real love between humans and animals never ends...its just...when they are together their life is filled with happiness Never...never push a TRUE friend away from you...remember that guys Thumbs up for Christian and friendship

[@thinsnake]

True loyalty. Animals never forget! Wish humans were the same.

[@volvotobbe]

i love this lion !! And those guys are so kind !

[@Purplesoda876]

God bless people who really love and care for animals. I hope Christian had a good life till the end of his life

[@nflrich]

I really hope that they write a new book or someone approaches them to make a movie. This story is incredible and these two guys are great.

[@JudyDeed]

He constantly hugs Ace.

[@kingforaday72]

what a beautiful lion the love that that lion had is totaly amazing

[@KenLeYankee]

I love that. If animals and human beings can be so connected, why not humans between them?

[@Uncledad0001]

love dis

[@suffolk2325]

Ace seems to be the quiet and gentle type:-).

[@HattieLovesCattie]

I found the book at Barnes and Noble for about $22.The book has been updated and they added many new pics of the lion.Ace and John must be in their mid 60's now.Christian most likely lived to the 1980's or later as he had moved to a safer part of Meru National Park.I just finished reading the book.

[@hagelby]

Wow, very beautiful and the lion is so cute,I vote 5 stars and it worth all the votes!

[@OptimusTrooper]

well put friend

[@wetmar41]

As vezes os 'especialistas' se acham donos da verdade.Mas esta história vem nos mostrar,que quando os animais amam e são amados, eles não esquecem.Maravilhosa esta história.Parabéns.

[@TheChrisrex10]

I love it how Christian was let into the wild. Because if you've seen the full video they did on him. It shows you and they tell you how he is now the king of his pride and has a wife and a baby son. It was so cool, It makes me sad every time I hear about him now.

[@kitteninamittten]

The men were on a recent Today show in the USA and said that a year after the reunion in 1973, they went back to see the lion again. His "pride" had lots of cubs and females. Christian had grown twice the size since the year before in 1972(the first reunion). The next year in 1974, the men went back again but Christian and his group had moved on. So Christian the lion went back to the wild for good which is what they had hoped he would be able to do some day. "

[@jannimeier]

I am so glad that I am not the only person who gets that animals are better than humans :)

[@nflrich]

George Adamson had said after the last meeting in 1974(George states it was 1973) that he lost track of Christian and stoppped counting after 97 days. He said Christian left the Kora reserve and made his home along the Tana River. But Christian moved his pride when the Wakamba herdsmen moved in with their livestock. Goerge believed that Christian eneded his final days in the Meru National Reserve a few miles away.

[@nflrich]

He did respond. He didn't say anything about a new autobiography but the new version of "A Lion Called Christian" will be out by Christmas. It will be a reprint with a new chapter added telling about the reunion. He also said at the moment they are beleaguered which is understandable.

[@sachinpagare5366]

John and ace so handsome

[@danymazbarros]

Its wonderful to see this movie.. That shows how wonderful it is our GOD Two of his creation together showing all the world how we are suppose to be. I love it.

[@allanfromm]

As a Christian, I totally agree with fatgrl's response. It is too bad that someone would take such a beautiful selfless event and make such a negative comment as that of samgee. GBCarole

[@JudyDeed]

John and Ace went back in 1973 and had another great meeting, then John went back in 1974 withtout Ace, so both are right.

[@nflrich]

I just wrote John and he verified an interim ebook of "A Lion Called Christian" will be published Oct.15 at Franfurt Fair and I am not sure if this will be released to everyone. The hard cover revised book will be released March 2009. He did not comment on movie since it's probably hush hush right now on that.

[@altoid2k4]

Contented isn't a word, it's just content. I think this story is fucking awesome though!

[@alZiiHardstylez]

wooow, natural instincts must stick in for that transistion from london to africa.. sooo epic

[@GMdark11]

:D Christian said SHOW THE LOVE their my friends and I'll love them forever and ever happiness to sadness

[@KentPomares]

:-) Who cares if "contented" isn't a word?? This beautiful story is bound to prompt such wonderful emotions. The purpose of language is to express and communicate feelings and aspects of ourselves to one another. Though you may have "failed" at words with *contented* You have succeeded in communication. Kudos to your sincerity! Furthermore, I may not approve of the word "fucking" in expressing the fullness of impact this story had on you Altoid, but I do understand it to be your way or format..

[@pinaypieish]

so true

[@luciofeitosa6012]

Gostaria de ver essa entrevista traduzida para o Brasil

[@Beefy3daygrowth]

WOW ! The BEST THING IN ANIMAL-HUMAN action I have EVER seen! I watch it every night, just cuz I have too and I sob like a baby!...........It is totally beautiful and fills my life full of joy! WONDEFUL DOCO! To lup get over it,,,,,,,,,,,U r not a lion! U just have a name that sounds the same>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[@inxs96]

the history...can't find the second part though

[@Carmellus]

Movie! Movie! Movie!

[@elzbieta52]

Ace, you looked so good with long, blonde hair!

[@sitilebar8760]

I 💕 animal

[@clayderman18]

This video was filmed 35 years ago. The lion isn't alive anymore, but these two man are.

[@Leven727]

clayderman18 43 now, 8 years later

[@nflrich]

I know the "A Lion Called Christian" book is being reprinted. I also just wrote John to ask if there's a plan for Ace and his autobiography since many people including me want to hear about their personal lives as well. I will post the answer when he replies.

[@nflrich]

One story I read said that they were 25 years old when they bought Christian. So that would make them 64 or 65. I also think that Christian did favor Ace. It likes my cat who acts differently with love towards my wife than he does with me. But Christian obviously loved both of them.

[@raycodem]

Very touching no they are not Gay they are best friends that grow up toghter Very good guys with a heart of Gold.

[@N.D.1984]

Qualcuno può tradurre in italiano con dei sottotitoli? Giene sarei davvero grato! Grazie.

[@cccxxxc]

i was under the impression that kenya was in Africa. Fairly accurate to say that he was taken to africa then...

[@DF13NatalRN]

Please, translation this interview for portuguese. thanks.

[@Gamer4life1123]

@Myrthexxxxx They adopted christian in the 70´s lions usualy age up to 20 or maybe 25 years old. so yes he is dead. but he'll remain alive in our mind and out hearts. cause that footage shows there realy is something between humans and animals.

[@LeoInterHyenaem]

Dear OptimusTrooper, Indeed, this video neither bears a political motive, nor is intended to arouse political discussion. I, too, were much moved (but not shocked as are those brainwashed to see animals, especially these marvellous predators, as brutes) when I watched the video first (that was a few years ago). What does piss me off is the veneration sordid lowlives like adamson, corbett and so forth have been granted. But I'm not here to argue as arguing is for those open to discussion.

[@suffolk2325]

John Rendall likes to talk:-).

[@funnyguy52]

The Australian Zigfried and Roy...and I do mean that in a very nice way!!

[@sverio12345]

Christian the lion recognized their haircut.

[@runebot300]

perdoname mi padre y te doy las gracias por todo lo que nos as dado

[@suffolk2325]

This is a MUCH MUCH better interview than the one Meredith (and her clown interview pal) conducted. These dumb TV interviewers on TODAY made a mockery out of the whole story.

[@vasyapurtov]

почему без звука?

[@deathbell777]

what happend to christian now?

[@dkfelix]

can't hear a thing? Why?

[@deadmanavir]

NONONONO .. even if the lion was FUCKING hungry, he would have never harm them.

[@nadav182]

the sound only comes from the left

[@maximoto275]

@JM4EDR well most of us!!!

[@luvmj4ever904]

i wish Ace would have gotten the chance to speak up more...

[@stevelewis3]

@Jimzerrr I think most of the Dislikes are aimed at the way this interview was conducted. This lady is beyond her use by date and not very liked here in Australia

[@LeoInterHyenaem]

Dear Sollenus, Please, don't be offended. I am sure to make exceptions, and judging by your missive, you represent an exception rather than a rule. I know a few others as well, and am inclined to distinguish between the type I loathe - and souls of propriety incidentally born and/or living in America. There is a plethora of things I'm highly critical of the average american for, first and foremost - their view of and subsequent relation to animals. Much more so than for the language.

[@vituxolino]

Please translation in portuguese! thanks

[@qetbacc]

if only people were like christian, remember there friends after a year of not seeing them -___-

[@CanadianSoldier]

it would be hard to find that lion again wouldnt it

[@TheGreatOffender]

Oh, I guess I must've been wrong.....When is the judgement for those guilty of these atrocieties? And who will judge them? When and Who?

[@margondine]

Sorry to breakl this to you, but 'contented' is a word. Lovely story.

[@suffolk2325]

Skatingcat: Christian's father was from Rotterdam.

[@jadakiss228]

lol these guys are funny

[@FreedomFighter08]

The one who christan hugs all the time is that Ace or John?

[@Artas1984]

Lions and Gepards are the most easy-to-domesticate cats..

[@SiegfriedRatel]

@krysjen7 No, max 15 years, so, he died at least 25 years ago.

[@janett167]

@kimishim makes you question "who are the real animals..."