A review of "The Lion Ranger"
I've finally got my hands on the DVD with the documentary series "The Lion Ranger". The events of the series begin a year earlier and tell the story of Kevin Richardson and the inhabitants of "The Kingdom of the White Lion," home to golden and white lions, hyenas, and black leopards — although the last of these are left off-screen. The private reserve itself was created for the filming of the feature film "White Lion", which flops at the box office because of video piracy, and now its inhabitants will be sold off unless Kevin can find a way to make "The Kingdom" self-sustaining.
The main theme of the series is how Kevin Richardson tries to keep the reserve afloat after the filming and funding have stopped, and also to develop it, to bring it to the level where it can take in visitors — but beyond that, the inhabitants themselves need looking after too. In one pride, four male lions have reached sexual maturity and are starting to clash with each other because there are no mating periods, since all the females have been given contraceptives because they can't afford to grow the population. In other groups, cubs raised separately have already grown up and need to be merged with the older cubs. In the hyena clan there is rivalry between the matriarch and her daughter. There is also the separately living white lion, the TV star Thor, who played the lead role in the film and as a result became antisocial, communicating only with Kevin — which isn't enough for a social animal like a lion. And fate has its surprises in store as well.
Over the course of several months in the first half of 2010, a National Geographic film crew follows Kevin, and the viewer gets to see the most interesting moments of life at the reserve over 135 minutes. It's clear that life is actually duller and more monotonous, but the director did a decent job, presenting the interesting moments in a certain order, building tension where there was none, using standard techniques to draw viewers in and stir up emotions — that's even a good thing, it makes for more interesting viewing for most people. Some moments seem drawn out, but on the whole you watch it in one sitting.
On first viewing I was thrilled at how a man manages to interact with lions, to control them, to become a shield during conflicts. It's mesmerizing when you see Kevin step in between ferocious lions ready to fight each other, who then immediately calm down at his command. This is better seen than heard or read about. But in reality you're unlikely to get to see something like that, even if you go there — after all, it doesn't happen every day. A case in point is the first group of volunteers to arrive at the reserve — that day, most of the lions couldn't be coaxed into any kind of reaction.
It's interesting to watch the hyena who thinks of himself as a lion, since they grew up together as cubs, and as a result he has all the habits of lions and won't be able to live with other hyenas. This wouldn't be a problem if the pride weren't gaining new members who have never seen hyenas in their lives, or who have seen them and know something completely different about them. This makes for interesting introduction episodes.
I've already mentioned the antisocial white lion Thor. It still makes for an interesting case — he himself is a celebrity; his photos are on the posters for the film "White Lion" and on the cover of the disc with this series. Naturally, he is Kevin's favorite lion and often grows sad from loneliness, yet he can't socialize or make contact with his own kind. His fate is touching and stirs up emotions.
As for hyenas, especially the raising of their cub, there are plenty of moments in the series, so fans of these animals will also find something for themselves in it. There's also a look at the situation with wild white lions in South Africa and at the tracking of wild lions in Botswana. At the same time, Kevin emphasizes that he only deals with lions he has known since their cubhood and can read the slightest changes in their mood from their appearance, whereas the same kind of contact with wild, unfamiliar lions would be tantamount to suicide. Also, in the third episode you can make out the iPhone from which @lionwhispererSA writes on Twitter and takes photos :)
I don't think there's even any need to recommend that lion lovers watch this series — it's obvious that they should. It originally aired in September in the USA, it's now showing in France and the UK, and when it'll be in Russia is unknown. "The Lion Ranger" can be bought on the American Amazon for almost 20 dollars, or at a discount if you're lucky. The series itself is produced in DVD-R format, meaning a copy of the disc is recorded after you order it — this doesn't reduce the quality but saves the environment, since unnecessary copies of discs aren't manufactured, though such discs cost more. Residents of uncivilized countries and those who don't want to wait can download the series from an FTP (access to it is available in my lair and on the forum at BIGCATS.RU in the relevant thread). Only, if you have the chance, it's better to buy it — that will increase the chances of a second season of the show appearing. You can also make a donation on Kevin Richardson's website to ease your conscience and help the animals.