Amazed at the incredible picture above of the guy swimming and cuddling with the lion? It seems beyond comprehension that a human and a 185 kg lion could be act like a couple that has been found cuddling and now they're feeling a mixture of bothered and embarrassed! By the way, look at the head of that lion - it's so HUGE!



However, this is just a normal part of the day for the guy in these pictures, whose name is Kevin Richardson. He is 34 years old and is a zoologist and animal behaviourist and the lions he plays with are his close friends! He is often nicknamed "The Lion Whisperer" and is known for his unusual, controversial, but very successful way to raise and interact with some of the most dangerous animals on earth, especially lions and hyenas.



Kevin's way of developing exceptionally personal bonds with his "pets" or "students" are really unusual. He actually plays, sleeps and even swims with them. Meg the lioness and her sister Amy are some of his best friends. These pictures are taken in "The Kingdom Of The White Lion", a 650-hectare area near Johannesburg, South Africa.



Here's a video of the bath which shows how strong the bond between Kevin and this lioness is:



Here are some more pics of him during his favourite activities: playing with huge lions:


Look at the faces of these lions!!


Here Kevin gives the lion a kiss..


.. and the lion gives Kevin a kiss back!


Here's Kevin with a Hyena

!






Kevin is also friends with a black panther.











Here are some videos from YouTube about Kevin Richardson and his unusual friends:



This video is one that you MUST see. Amazing!

For more free news and articles, subscribe to our RSS feed or get updates via email.

    If you enjoyed this post, please bookmark/promote it below. Your vote is appreciated!

      3 comments

      1. Unknown // January 18, 2011 at 5:27 AM  

        Dear Kevin,

        I believe this is phenomenal!!!! you're a great adventurer who made the impossible possible... I love lions, leopards, tigers, cougars, cheetahs etc... all of them... I own 4 dogs, and I was offered to buy a 4 months old male or female lion but was not sure that I could provide them with a proper home or if I can really take care of them appropriately... not to mention the risk of having them on my family and friends...

        I have a question if you don't mind. Is it just love over a year as per the posted video which delivered this amazing conclusion, or there are certain training and skill involved??? I'm quite shocked with the result because even the most famous circus trainers never came close to what Kevin has reached...

        God bless you Kevin, you are one of a kind, you are my hero and you literally made my day today... I wish you all the health and please post more photos and videos whenever possible.

        Best regards,
        ASB

      2. Anonymous // January 19, 2011 at 3:13 AM  

        i'm so jealous of this man

      3. Anonymous // November 12, 2012 at 3:30 PM  

        Dear Kevin,


        I was watching your video and seeing the pictures, and I admit that made ​​me cry of emotion is incredible!

        I'm crazy about lions, tigers, cats, leopards and all kinds of cats,

        but I just have a cat, her name is Katy, but she is wild like a tiger, she was found in the woods and already made ​​big scratches on my hands a few times,
        I wonder with these huge cats as it should be,
        but they are really wonderful!

        Some times when I talk to someone that would like to have a tiger, people tell me that this is impossible, I have crazy ideas.

        But you do believe that it is possible that humans and cats can live together in peace.
        To me cats can demonstrate more love than humans, and yet be reliable.

        You make my dream come true.

        Congratulations! this is life!

        Best regards,
        Serena