Born Wild: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Passion for Lions and for Africa.

Lately I read many books about wildlife, the Lawrence Anthony, Sharon Pincott, the boy from the wild from Peter Meyer or Suzy Kelly and many others . Each I say this is the best and I order moreBorn wild was one of those book , especially since it also tells about Adamson , and years ago I read Joy Adamson and Elsa the lion . This book is just extraordinary because I love lions as much as elephants, rhino or orangutans. Well written , passionate author , it was just amazing . Tony you are an extraordinary story teller , I just lived your book

Having read Born Free, Living Free and Forever Free as a teenager i wondered how much i would enjoy Born Wild by Tony Fitzjohn, George Adamson's apprentice lion trainer. It was brilliant. Another view of the story of Africa, after Elsa, and the politics that has held back Africa from making the most of its natual resources.Born Wild: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Passion for Lions and for Africa.

Devant visiter le parc de Mkomasi en Tanzanie, j'ai trouvé utile d'en lire sa renaissance grâce au travail de l'auteur et de son équipe. Etant très concernée par la conservation des félins en Afrique, ce livre est aussi intéressant car il décrit le travail de Georges Adamson à Kora dans les années 70 et 80. Ces expériences de rehabilitation de lions et de léopards ne seraient plus autorisées aujourd'hui. C'est donc un témoignage intéressant sur des réussites improbables.

I was pleased with this - I had read it before but wanted it for myself. It is an exciting and interesting account of Tony's experience. Having some experience of East Africa myself, and interest in wild life, I enjoyed it.

This book was first published in 2010, has 317 pages, 82 colour/B/W pictures and 3 large maps. The book is dedicated to the creatures of the wild. ANTHONY RAYMOND FITZJOHN was born on 7.7.1945 in London. His mother gave him for adoption. He was raised in Cockfosters. He loved scouting. It was the book 'Tarzan of the Apes', that inspired him to go to Africa. In 1968, he sails to CAPETOWN, South Africa. He hitchhikes to Kenya. At the long bar at Stanley Hotel, NAIROBI, he meets Ian Hudges, who takes him on safari to MARALAL and teaches bushcraft. In the south, from LOITOKITOK, he could see Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340ft). After reading 'Bwana Game', Fitz was to meet George Adamson. Terence Adamson, 2 years younger, took him to KORA- KAMPI YA SIMBA (camp of the lions). George indroduces Fitz to young lion - Christian. Fitz stayed at Kora for 18 years. A HUNGRY LION IS AN ANGRY LION.Joy Adamson did not like Fitz or Terence. Afternoon siesta is a must for Fitz. Terence was grumpy old sod, but loved elephants. At the age of 27, Fitz was very happy at lonely Kora, near the TANA RIVER. From George, he learnt animal behaviour and how to use the sense of smell. In 1972, he visits Isiolo and Lake Turkana (Rudolf). One day Christian shook Fitz and gave him hell of a shock. On 19.10.1974, Kora was made into a Game Reserve. Fitz then meets Leakey and Freddie lion cubs at Kora. With more lions and lionesses, the total rose to 10. After George spent time in Nairobi Hospital with broken pelvis, Fitz was next there after a large lion tore his neck and shoulder. He gets bad malaria. Then George and later Terence get attacked by their lions. The game department wanted Kora closed, just as Fitz got his work permit -Assistant Kora game reserve. He goes to Europe to form a 'TRUST'. Then in 1980, Joy Adamason is killed in SABA.Fitz is given 2 leopard cubs, so 'KAMPI YA CHUI' is built. He learns to fly. Fitz mother died soon after his father had visited him in Kora. Leopard programme was going well. George and Terence were getting older. On 5.4.1986, Terence had died. In 1988, after been asked to leave, Fitz wanted to move to MKOMAZI, 1350 sq miles, game reserve, northeast Tanzania. He was beaten and locked up. On 20.8.1989, George was murdered. He was 83. Fitz missed 'THE OLD MAN'then and he misses him now. Fitz was now 45. Fund raising started, with it improvements to Mkomazi. After solving his drink problem, he falls in love with Lucy Mellotte. North of Mkomazi, is TSAVO West National Park, Kenya. In 1993, his father died of stroke.The camp in Mkomazi was in KISIMA (water-well). Black rhino and african hunting dogs were reintroduced. Many political problems faced the reserve including hunting. Fitz and Lucy have their son - Alexander (Mukka) in 1996. They marry in Kora. They then have 3 girls, Jemima, Tilly and Imogen. Work started to restore Kora National Park. Mkomazi finally gets its National park status. Their children go to boarding schools. In 2006, Fitz is awarded OBE. This book is a wonderful addition to books on East Africa. Fitz and his team's dedication is visible and palpable and it is lovely to see Fitz remembering his 'OLD MAN' (George Adamson). Other books with similar theme are:-(1) Bwana Game, George Adamson 1968(2) My Pride and Joy, George Adamson 1986(3) The Great Safari, Adrian House 1993(4) Born Free/Living Free/Forever Free, Joy Adamson 1960/61/62(5) Lord of the Lions, Sandy Gall 1991(6) Last of the Free, Gareth Patterson 1994(7) The Tsavo Story, Dame Daphne Sheldrick 1973(8) On Playing with Lions, Virginnia Mckenna 1966(9) Return to the Wild, Norman Carr 1963(10)A Lion Called Christian, Bourke and Randall 1971 (2009)Having born in Kenya, I enjoyed reading this book.Read and ENJOY.