Lion Called Christian by Anthony Bourke Read Free Book Online Page A

not argue with lions, and as we strode past him into the building, he nimbly jumped aside.
    Christian was far too interested in investigating the paraphernalia in the radio studio like tempting cords and wires, and looking at the faces pressed against the studio windows, to even consider making any lion-like noises in his interview. We spoke briefly on his behalf, but the caption in the following day's Daily Mail read:

MIKE-SHY CHRISTIAN FLOPS ON RADIO
    We were mystified when we received a telephone call from the BBC at Sophistocat later in the day. Without being offered any explanation, we were curtly asked Christian's value, but it was not a question we had ever had reason to consider. Several days later, we read in Charles Greville's column in the Daily Mail what had happened. The caption was:

THE LION BEHIND BARS OF RED TAPE
BBC regulations stated that animals brought into the building had to be insured, but because of some slip-up, "an hilarious situation built up with poker-faced officialdom going about the business of taking out a policy against damage to their departed guests. And, presumably, damage to the hosts, although as events had already shown by that time, the animal could hardly raise a yawn in the studio, let alone breakfast off de Manio and his team ... and the value of the publicity-shy jungle king? PS500 say the owners.
    Newspapers invariably rang us if a lion or other wild animal attacked or killed someone anywhere in the world. We enjoyed disappointing them with glowing reports of Christian's impeccable behavior. So many newspapers were inaccurate in their information about Christian that it was surprising we received only one hostile letter. After an article had appeared in an American newspaper in April 1970, a woman wrote a long abusive letter. She concluded:
"What do you intend doing with him when you tire of him? He must now be growing up and after the life you have forced him to lead, he must be getting vicious and dangerous. No doubt you have had his claws and perhaps even his teeth removed, so I'm sure no zoo would want him. End his miserable life and have him put to sleep." Declawing Christian had never been an option for us, and incorrect as she was about Christian's life with us at Sophistocat, we did share her concern for his future.

B y April 1970 Christian was bored. He was then eight months old and rapidly outgrowing Sophistocat. Life had become repetitive and seemed to contain very few surprises for him. He was irritated that he had outgrown his favorite sitting spot on the stairs. It was too easy for him to climb all over the furniture in the shop, and now weighing 130 pounds, he was heavy enough to accidentally break the plate-glass windows. He was requiring more freedom, while we could only give him less. If he chose to behave badly, and he was now capable of inflicting serious damage, we knew we could not control him. Whereas he had previously been an attraction for the shop, his size was beginning to frighten customers away. George Lazenby, the actor of 007 James Bond fame, came to visit with a friend of ours one afternoon. Christian was sitting in the window, and even George could not be persuaded to enter the shop. So Christian was spending most of his time in the basement, and increasingly resenting any form of restriction.
    He was less contented and so were we. It had become an enormous strain on us. We had a responsibility toward Christian, but also had to avoid creating any dangerous situations. It was inadvisable to wait and see what form his frustrations might take.
    The question of his future, which had hung over us from the very beginning, now inescapably confronted us. We went to Longleat Safari Park again, for as we had discovered before we bought Christian, it seemed to offer the best living conditions for lions in England. This time we knew much more about lions. Because of the likelihood that Christian would soon be going there, we were proudly, but mistakenly,