Remarkable people: Kevin Richardson
Trust is both taught and learnt!
Thanks to Naked Capitalism, we posted an item on the 19th December about an unknown wild-life ranger working in the wildlife refuge area of Lanseria, South Africa. Here was one of the pictures included in that Post:
The Post finished with an appeal to anyone that knew the name of this Ranger. Many of you did and responded; thank you!
His name is Kevin Richardson and there is an interesting account of how he works and some of his ‘experiences’ in Revolution Magazine, luckily with online content. That article is here. It starts thus:
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. 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. Kevin can confidently look into their eyes, crouch to the their level and even lie down with them – all taboos in the normal world of wild animal handling – yet he doesn’t get mauled or attacked.
The article goes on to say that Kevin often works with the animals when they are very young. Thus he is demonstrating very powerfully that how we behave, especially with our children when they are young, creates the environment for building trust out of consistency of deed and thought. (By the way, do read some of the comments posted at the end of that Magazine article – some of them make for powerful reading.)
Kevin Richardson at 'work'.
Luckily, thanks to this wired world we now live in, there is also video of Kevin available on YouTube. A quick search under Kevin Richardson on YouTube will quickly find a number of videos but here are two that I wanted to share with you.
The first will leave you speechless and possibly wet-eyed!
The second is a promotional video by Kevin encouraging us to buy his recent book – and why not!
This is a very remarkable person and it’s an honour to share this with you. We have so much to learn from all animals.
Paul Handover
Chris Snuggs
Jon Lavin
Bob Derham
Sherry Jarrell
John Lewis
Yes, Paul. This guys is amazing, remarkable, incredible. I posted one of his videos on http://www.TheDailyTail.com months ago, after receiving pictures of him with the lions by e-mail.
I was so happy to see humans and lions can have a healthy relationship. Thanks for this post, Paul! Kevin’s relationship with wildlife must be celebrated every day!
Daniela Caride
December 30, 2009 at 17:39
Thanks Daniela,
In the midst of so much angst in so many areas for so many people, it is just unbelievably wonderful to see that some are motivated by higher ideals. Great lesson for all.
I have his book on order and can’t wait to read it.
Happy New Year to you.
Paul
Paul Handover
December 30, 2009 at 17:49
Utterly Amazing!! Kevin, are you the only person who can do this? Marlin Perkins would have had a stroke watching this. I believe! Just like the N. O. Saints! Can guests visit this refuge. I live near the Rockefeller Refuge in south Louisiana. Don’t think you would be able to do this with gators but then I’d have said you can’t do this with Lions and such. You are always seconds from death, NOT! People in my office have tried every way to say this is fake….some people have this gift. The animals seem happy and content,,,,,Excellant!
Cajun John
January 18, 2010 at 20:30
Wonderful interaction. I am a volunteer at the Wildlife Waystation in S. California. I am the team leader with a 19 year old spotted male hyena named Kasane. He is very smart and has over 20 behaviors. Everything is done from the outside of his enclosure and we are thinking of trying to get him out. He is very very sweet and responds to me with love and affection, I am his Mum. I would appreicate any information I can get on how I should go about trying to get him out to walk around our compound, which is 40 acres. He is not aggressive but can be very skittish but responds to me very easily. I love him to death and would like to see him get out. I have read different articles on this hyena and some are very conflicting.
Thanks in advance for any type of info on the spotted hyena.
May Finlayson
February 2, 2010 at 14:13
Dear May,
Wonderful to receive your comment. I’m going to try and put you in touch with Kevin as I have no direct or relevant experience personally. I will email you directly in the next few days (travelling just at the moment). Kevin’s book Part of the Pride might be a worthwhile read for you.
But will be in touch – you can count on it!
Paul
Paul Handover
February 2, 2010 at 18:52
kevin, es verdad que murió en diciembre 2009 por los mandriles….
india
February 10, 2010 at 17:00