Millions have viewed the powerful video online, sparking huge interest in the remarkable true story of a lion cub raised in London and then set free in Africa.
The appearance of poignant video footage of Christian and the authors on YouTube in July 2008 ignited new interest in this incredible story from around the world. Anthony Bourke and John Rendall purchased a lion cub from London’s Harrod’s in 1969, and cared for him in their flat, developing a remarkable attachment to Christian. When an opportunity arose to reintroduce Christian to the wild, Bourke and Rendall agreed to send him to Kenya, where they were later able to visit him. The footage of their reunion has touched the hearts of millions of animal lovers worldwide.