Predator Road Trip (2 x 60′) – He’s called the “Lion Whisperer” because he shares an extraordinary bond with Africa’s most fearsome predators. Now Kevin Richardson faces his biggest challenge yet – a battle to transport 27 lions, 4 black leopards and 14 hyenas to a new home, a sanctuary on the edge of the Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa.
A self-taught animal behaviorist, Kevin Richardson has broken every conventional safety rule known to man when working with wild animals. Instead of coercion or punishment, he uses love, understanding and trust to develop personal bonds with them. His unique method of getting to know their individual personalities – what makes them angry, happy, upset, or irritated – just like a mother understands a child, has caused them to accept him like one of their own. Kevin’s unique relationships with these large predators have captivated the imagination of many people throughout the world.
The animals’ new home will be a sanctuary on the edge of Dinokeng. Kevin has a huge task ahead of him; planning and designing the new enclosures and securing permits to move the lions. After making a promise to look after his animals to the end of their days, Kevin wants to make sure they have the best life they possibly can. To prevent stereotypical behavior developing from frustration and boredom, the animals are regularly rotated into new enclosures encouraging them to explore and establish new territories as they would in the wild. For the move itself most of the animals will need to be loaded into specially adapted transport vans. Being able to understand the individual characteristics of his animals is key to helping Kevin move them safely.
Channel: Smithsonian Channel
Producer: Terra Mater Factual Studios / Kingdom Films
TX: 24th February 2016