Joy Adamson > Quotes

“Although the release was heartbreaking for the Adamsons, they were mindful that she had been born free.”
― Joy Adamson, Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds

“It was nearly a week before we returned. We found her waiting, and very hungry. She was full of affection; we had deceived her so often, broken faith with her, done so much to destroy her trust in us, yet she remained loyal.”
― Joy Adamson, Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds

“When I joined her a few moments later, she licked my arm, embraced me with her paw and hugged me to her wet body. We relaxed after the morning’s excitement. I felt very touched by her gentleness and the care with which she treated my skin and avoided scratching me with claws that only a few minutes ago had been so deadly to the thick skin of a powerful buffalo.”
― Joy Adamson, Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds

“In 1960, Joy wrote of her experiences raising Elsa in the bestselling book Born Free which was adapted into an Academy award-winning film. In 1980 Joy was tragically murdered on her reserve, but her conservation work continues through the Elsemere Trust.”
― Joy Adamson, Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds

“In natural life, as long as he finds food, a lion does not wander over great distances, and certainly Elsa had seen more of the world than she would have done living with a pride. Yet she knew her home, and whenever we returned from safari she would go straight back to her habits and usual routine.”
― Joy Adamson, Born Free: A Lioness of Two Worlds

“Wildlife is something which man cannot construct. Once it is gone, it is gone forever. Man can rebuild a pyramid, but he can't rebuild ecology, or a giraffe.”
― Joy Adamson