Christian the Lion movie career and last reunion with John and Ace.

The director of the “Born Free” made the documentary “filmed Christian the Lion, John, and Ace for the documentary Christian, The Lion at World’s End.

2 years later, in 1973 John and Ace decided to visit Christian again. George had not seen Christian around the compound for 9 months but the pair were committed to this second visit.

Coincidence? The day before John and Ace were set to arrive for visit #2, Christian et al returned to the compound!

By this time, Christian had doubled in size. had cubs of his own, and was defending his own growing pride.

Although mostly unfilmed, here is a brief description of the moving second reunion;

We called him and he stood up and started to walk towards us very slowly. Then, as if he had become convinced it was us, he ran towards us, threw himself on to us, knocked us over, knocked George over and hugged us, like he used to, with his paws on our shoulders.

Notice the difference in his mane? As a cub in the pics above, Christian isn’t sporting his mane yet, but looky here….he’s a big boy now!

Tv picture:

This last visit was a sleepover. It ended in the morning. George has not seen Christian around the compound since late Spring 1973’s reunion.

Christian the Lion’s baby pic…

reunion with Ace and John.

I hope you enjoyed the true story about John, Ace, and Christian the Lion. Now back to Life’s Realities LLC and my 2 books. William Reiley Butler