Beast tamer - Kevin Richardson (another Steve Irwin!)
Kevin Richardson, zoologist and animal behaviouralist, raises and trains some of the most dangerous animals known to man. To do this he does not use the common methods of breaking the animal’s spirit with sticks and chains, instead he uses love, understanding and trust.
Richardsone is based in a wildlife conservation area near Johannesburg, South Africea, where he works his unusual gift with wild animals. Animal behaviorists typically study the behavior of social groups of animals and the social structure within them. Kevin is so instinctively in tune with these beasts that volatile mother hyenas even allow him to hold their newborn cubs without leaping to the rescue in attack. But lions are his favorite. He lavishes them with unconditional love, he says, treating each individual differently, speaking to them, caressing them, and above all, treating them with respect, reports .
With this unusual method of training he has developed some exceptionally personal bonds with his students. He sleeps with lions, cuddles newborn hyenas, swims with lionesses.
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THIS IS AMAZING!!!!!!
He’s gonna get eaten some day just like that bear guy. Humans and wild animals weren’t meant to co-exist no matter how cool or cute it is.
Humans and wild animals weren’t meant to co-exist no matter how cool or cute it is.
Dogs were wild too, just like horses, cats and all the other domestic animals we have now.
So we were meant to co-exist.
Well dogs, horses, cows, etc were once wild animals too. If you understand the psychology of the animal it’s not impossible.
No… he’s not yet another Steve Irwin. Steve would poke and prod at animals to agitate them. This guy seems like he’s pretty cool.
How can you you say we weren’t meant to co-exist with animals? We were all born of the same earth. Just because we call ourselves civilized doesn’t mean we don’t have an inherent connection to all living things.
“that bear guy” was a quack, watch his documentary he was borderline insane and certainly knew nothing of wild animals, Steve Irwin was an amazing animal philanthropist who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and how can you tell what this guy is about by seeing a few pics on the net?
Some people would rather get along with (wild) animals better than humans. This man has something special with animals and I wish him luck.
I would be interested to hear what his religious beliefs were.
This guy seems pretty down to earth with the animals, and the animals seem to dig him too. Whats the prob? This guy has a gift.
If he dies of natural causes in his 80s at the end of a long life THEN I’ll believe he’s a beast tamer.
I rather live with animals than humans myself. The guy has got it made to be able to get up every morning and not have to deal with office crap.
Steve, what you said echoed my first thoughts exactly, including the reference to “the bear guy.” As for the other comments: “Dogs were wild too, just like horses, cats and all the other domestic animals we have now.” Yeah, but now they’re domesticated and some of them still kill people, and I guarantee some of their ancestors ate some of ours on the way to being house-doggies. Just ’cause some animals are tame now doesn’t mean a wild lion won’t bite your face off. “So we were meant to co-exist.” Right, and now we’re just waiting for sharks and rattlesnakes to get with the program. “If you understood the psychology of the animal . . . ” What psychology? Is there a course in this somewhere? And do the animals take it so they know to follow the rules? “How can you tell what this guy is about by seeing a few pics on the net?” Well, it sure looks like he’s into rolling around with wild predators a lot without an Iron Man suit on, so I think Steve should be allowed to make some conjectures. I mean, I hope the guy doesn’t get eaten, but maybe he should check with Roy Horn of Siegfried & Roy to see what his chances are. If anybody ever had a Ph.D. in the Psychology of Wild Animals, it was Roy. Of course, nobody can say for sure what will happen. I would amend Steve’s original comment to say, “He’s *probably* gonna get eaten.” Is that better?
Lion can’t be pets? Lions can’t have compassion?
Lions can’t be tamed?
Have you imbeciles not heard of the World Wide FAMOUS story of “A Lion Named Christian?” If not you should look it up before tagging ALL wild lions or any wild animal at that, as vicious, unable to be tamed, or unable to understand what it is this man is trying to teach them.
Look up Christian the Lion on youtube and watch they’re reunion with their much loved pet lion a YEAR after they released him into the wild. And they also went to see him again a year after that. both times he greeted his past owners with hugs and loving gestures. And this Kevin Richardson doesn’t just goi around playing with any lion he sees. He is a part of ONE pride specifically and goes where ever they go. These lions nap with him, swim with him AND protect him. Do some research before you make assumptions.
And as for the other animals he appears with in these pictures, he spent a lot of time on the outskirts studying them and their behaviors, and making it known to them that he was there but never intruded on their space. he just chills until they are comfortable enough to get close to him, then starts a relationship with them. I wouldn’t call him a beast tamer. he doesn’t tame them. He becomes a part of their world, almost becomes one of them. He lives by their standards, and does what they do(apart from hunting and eating raw meat of course) hehe.
Yeah, I’ve seen the “Christian the Lion” videos. They made me cry. Awesome stuff.
But maybe you shouldn’t call people “imbeciles” whenever they disagree with you. It makes them want to point out your grammatical flaws, which are many. And one success story does not prove a rule. You are providing only anecdotal evidence, and that doesn’t go very far.
“Well, I saw this one lion, and he was a pet and then he was released into the wild, and when he saw his owners he hugged them! So therefore, this other guy who is hanging out with lions is a hundred percent safe!”
Hey, the guy might turn out fine, but I think there’s a good chance he’ll be eaten too.
Nobody is saying lions “can’t” be tamed for some limited length of time. I think we’re just betting that in the long run, they will revert to their (not “they’re”) wild nature.
I *do* think these lions are “unable to understand what it is this man is trying to teach them.” They are wild animals, and not household pets or Care Bears or border collies. Their primal instincts are much stronger than any socialization some human might impose on them.
Why don’t you go out right now and get a lion to live with you? I’m sure you could teach him to be a lap baby in no time. Just like that lady with the chimp in Connecticut.
@Scott:
Animals do have psychology and if you are not smart enough to see that, it’s your loss.
in any case I don’t want to get into some sort of silly flame war here, but animals are individuals like people, they are not mindless and prey to their instincts (Of course they live in the wild and the very will to survive is strong) but in response to the comments about even domestic animals killing and eating humans….they, like us, like humans, are not uniform, not perfect, not all entirely the same. That’s why there are serial killers and Mother Teresa’s; and that is why there are some animals that don’t follow the uniform of what WE think they should be.
Haha. Sorry about the offensive name calling. It wasn’t needed. But It really gets to me when people like yourself Scott, Put all animals into one category. You do not have the same mind as me, just as one lion does not have the same mind as another Lion. Yes, if Kevin Richardson went around attempting to play with any lion he spotted he would end up getting eaten. However just like dogs, Lions Can and Will get used to a person and get close to a person after said person spends enough time showing the animal that they mean no harm. And if I could go out and buy a Lion as a pet I would. but in case you don’t pay attention to what’s happened around you, You can not own Lions as pets anymore, unless you do it as a career to help rehabilitate them into the wild. Pay for my schooling and I’d prove to you that any Lion can become a persons genuine friend in due time.
I’d rather live my life amongst animals and be killed by one of them, rather than live a boring life amongst humans and die of cancer or worst, be killed by an other human……
And where exactly is “South Africe”?
Amazing! He went from the Backstreet Boys to wild animals
Too bad humans dont treat each other like this ! o what a world it would be !
Hi all, For all those skeptics out there, of course we are ment to co exist! We are all part of the same living breathing planet, all part of one giant eco system. We may be top of the food chain, but it doesn’t give us any more right to be here than anything else. In fact I think its the animals that have cracked it, What are we thinking, running around chasing our tails so someone else can get more beer tokens than us for our sweat! Over populating the planet because we think we own it, Arrogance beyond belief! What’s it all for? we can’t take it with us when we die. All we can hope for is that we come to our senses before its too late and start giving something back to mother nature instead of taking all the time. Animals have feelings thoughts and personalities, if they didn’t there wouldn’t be any changes in behavior when people cage them. All those who think animals don’t matter and money is king, open your eyes minds and hearts. The value of money is going down the toilet. all we will have left is nature itself and for me that day can’t come quickly enough. to the likes of kevin, george adamson and all those from the born free foundation,green peace and those who recognize what wealth we already have in a natural sense, i salute you all and aspire to be like you. God Bless!
Kevin is awesome! You go bru - I love what you are doing! We need more people like Kevin Richardson and Steve Irwin.
As a kid this was something I always dreamed off, but for some reason the school careers adviser thought I’d be better off stuck in an office … how I wish I’d followed my dream.
I think this is awesome. i’m going to be a zoologist. I’ve been watching alot of videos with Kevin lately and hopefully someday i can get to meet him and learn from him.
Hi!
Do someone knows where is his place exactly in Johannesburg? I think about traveling there just for seeing this by myself. Giving me a great pleasure and inspiration.
Thanks in advance
I adore the “cat” family especially lions! Though there isnt any “psychology” class or degree to understand animals,they are more predictable than a human being! Animals are predictable meaning, we know that they may harm us any moment……someday it can happen!but the love they show is pure to their nature of having only “five” sense!Their love is unadulterated!Am sure that Steve irwin if alive now, would still love animals! We just have to maintain the line of respect.
Animals and man co-habited millions of years before.They were even worshiped by our ancestors!But The line of respect between animals and man has vanished! Now we conquered the world leaving a defined place for them…..a sanctuary,reserve etc. We have also taken their share of the earth And forgot that they also need an equal place! Hopefully atleast few wild animals remain for the future generation to see and dont end up exticnt!