I just finished watching an amazing documentary on Kevin Richardson, an animal behaviorist for a private reserve in South Africa, and nicknamed "the lion whisperer" by the media for the uncanny ability he has to bond with lions and other wild animals. So good~ It both blows my mind and makes me green with envy the way he's able to interact with these lions and hyenas to the point where he's been completely and fully accepted as one of them.


(More videos on http://www.lionwhisperer.co.za and YouTube; and the aforementioned documentary, "Dangerous Companions", is easily found on Google.)

He reminds me of Timothy Treadwell only way better and smarter, without the apparent crazy vibe and the fact that he, you know... hasn't gotten himself eaten. The interviews and YouTube clips of him are all extremely interesting, and I'd love to get my hands on a copy of his book.

He makes me strongly regret, not for the first time in my life, that I never followed through with my original longing to work with animals. :c I think sometimes that if I could go back to see myself in high school, I'd give myself a firm slap upside the head: "Buck up! Who cares if you're rubbish at science? You could hug a lion some day!" *Whappa whappa whappa!* Stupid fear of science. Stupid fear of giant African bugs. Sometimes I'm just the stupid one. The only possible chance I have now is if I ever get the chance to travel to Africa; or if the fates are extra cruel they'll give me cancer and I will then be in a position to grotesquely take advantage of the Make A Wish Foundation. ("You want what?") In the mean time I shall continue to hug my kitten, who however lacks in considerable size and majesticness *Iroh runs into smack into a wall* makes up for it in 100% pure adorableness.