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Part of the Pride
Kevin Richardson has been dubbed "The Lion Whisperer". It's a title he doesn't like, but how else can you label his extraordinary relationship with these beautiful yet deadly animals?
As a zoologist and animal behaviourist, he works at a lion park in South Africa. Here he has formed incredible relationships with the big cats – playing with them, lying down with them, being included in every part of their lives as "one of the pride". Those who work with lions in the traditional way – using sticks, chains and coercion – call him crazy. But Kevin's ability to get inside the head of a lion, using love, patience and a unique empathy, have kept him safe in situations that would result in certain death to anyone else.
This is Kevin's incredible story. How a man could become part of a lion pride, and a fascinating insight into the lives of one of the world's most beautiful and powerful animals.
239 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
72 people are currently reading
1047 people want to read
About the author
Kevin Richardson
29 books39 followersKevin Richardson is a South African animal behaviorist who has conducted extensive research on native animals of Africa. He has been accepted into a pack of spotted hyenas and pride of lions.
Early life
Since infancy, Kevin has loved all animals. He was breeding crickets and kept a toad called, "Paddatjie" ("Little Frog"), at the age of three.
Richardson was born in the Nightingale Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spent his childhood in the neighborhood of Orange Grove. His mother, Patricia, worked for Barclays Bank and had also been born in South Africa. Richardson's father, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, had been born in the United Kingdom and moved to South Africa from Reading, Berkshire. Kevin Richardson was the youngest of 5 children: he has an older brother and two sisters who are twins. His father died when Richardson was thirteen years old. When he was about sixteen, he met Stan Schmidt. That was when Richardson began his career as a zoologist.
Zoology career
Richardson went to university and started learning zoology, but quit following two years of repetitive lessons on marine biology instead of mammals. Richardson started his adult life believing that he would never work with animals as a career. He thought that his work with animals would be a hobby. He started taking courses in physiology and anatomy in college and started a career in physiotherapy. and ended up helping people with exercise physiology. When he was twenty-three, he had the opportunity to work with two 6-month-old cubs, Tau and Napoleon, at the Lion Park near the outskirts of his home in Johannesburg. He still works with the grown up cubs. The facility owner, Rodney Fuhr, started him off with a part-time job at the Lion Park.
Richardson and his team work with animals for the commercial filming industry and make documentaries to generate income to fund the facility. They also have a volunteer program which generates income and much needed extra hands to run the sanctuary. Richardson is a self-taught zoologist. He develops a bond with the lions and gets to know them, and has gained renown as a zoologist by living with lions. Richardson has disregarded many safety rules concerning lions, and has dispelled many myths about their training.
Early life
Since infancy, Kevin has loved all animals. He was breeding crickets and kept a toad called, "Paddatjie" ("Little Frog"), at the age of three.
Richardson was born in the Nightingale Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spent his childhood in the neighborhood of Orange Grove. His mother, Patricia, worked for Barclays Bank and had also been born in South Africa. Richardson's father, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, had been born in the United Kingdom and moved to South Africa from Reading, Berkshire. Kevin Richardson was the youngest of 5 children: he has an older brother and two sisters who are twins. His father died when Richardson was thirteen years old. When he was about sixteen, he met Stan Schmidt. That was when Richardson began his career as a zoologist.
Zoology career
Richardson went to university and started learning zoology, but quit following two years of repetitive lessons on marine biology instead of mammals. Richardson started his adult life believing that he would never work with animals as a career. He thought that his work with animals would be a hobby. He started taking courses in physiology and anatomy in college and started a career in physiotherapy. and ended up helping people with exercise physiology. When he was twenty-three, he had the opportunity to work with two 6-month-old cubs, Tau and Napoleon, at the Lion Park near the outskirts of his home in Johannesburg. He still works with the grown up cubs. The facility owner, Rodney Fuhr, started him off with a part-time job at the Lion Park.
Richardson and his team work with animals for the commercial filming industry and make documentaries to generate income to fund the facility. They also have a volunteer program which generates income and much needed extra hands to run the sanctuary. Richardson is a self-taught zoologist. He develops a bond with the lions and gets to know them, and has gained renown as a zoologist by living with lions. Richardson has disregarded many safety rules concerning lions, and has dispelled many myths about their training.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 11, 2021
In this book, Kevin talks about the relationships with animals that he’s had throughout his life, up to and including his hands-on work with lions, leopards, and hyenas. He talks about working in the lion industry in South Africa, and how his experiences led him to leave and start a sanctuary instead. Friday mornings - when a new YouTube video is posted from the sanctuary - are a highlight in my week, whether Meg the lioness is “answering” questions about lion behaviour and conservation, or Bobcat with his gorgeous black mane is headed out on an enrichment walk.
https://www.youtube.com/user/LionWhis...
https://www.youtube.com/user/LionWhis...
May 17, 2018
I should have loved this book, but I didn't. Cats, of any size, are my favourite animals ... and that may have been why I couldn't love this book. It wasn't really about the lions, it was about Kevin Richardson. He came across as someone who has a large ego, and spent a great deal of the book talking about himself. The lions were only mentioned in connection with Kevin ... which I suppose is fair enough, considering the title of the book ... Part of the Pride:
MY
Life Among the Big Cats of Africa. He's also one of those folks who do whatever they please, no matter how foolhardy that action might truly be.
I do respect his love for the lions, and other animals, he is involved with. He is a most fortunate man to have had the privilege of interacting with these magnificent cats. Perhaps, someone else should have written the book, and then I might have enjoyed it more. Hard to say.
2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.
I do respect his love for the lions, and other animals, he is involved with. He is a most fortunate man to have had the privilege of interacting with these magnificent cats. Perhaps, someone else should have written the book, and then I might have enjoyed it more. Hard to say.
2 Stars = Blah. It didn't do anything for me.
August 31, 2011
This is an AMAZING book!!! Kevin Richardson is definitely my new hero/role model. I read this book because I want to work with big cats when I am older, and when I heard of him I just /had/ to read his book. Kevin is really humble about what he can do, and seems like a really nice person. I am really jealous of him, and wish I had the money to go to Kingdom of the White Lion and volunteer or something. The book was REALLY interesting, and I couldn't put it down. I finished it really quickly. I had to light a ton of candles at night to see, since we were out of power from Hurricane Irene. :) He puts humor into his stories, like Lenny the cheetah. I found that very amusing. Although, there were times when reading the book that I felt the weight of a situation, like when he described how Homer died. I recommend his book to EVERYONE. I've been telling my parents, sister, and grandma that they should read it because it's great. I learned a lot, and it really did change my opinion on animals such as hyenas, which I didn't know much about. They are actually really smart. xD I would be happy if the book never ended and I got to read it forever. It made me want to find Kevin Richardson and make him teach me everything he knows. Or email him or something. I'm convinced I'm his biggest fan. :)
March 31, 2012
In this book I headed off to my favourite country South Africa for my Around the World in 52 Books Challenge and what an adventure it was! Lions, hyenas and jaguars oh my!
A few years ago I watched a short documentary called Dangerous Companions about Kevin Richardson and his friends (lions, hyenas, giraffes etc.) I like many other people was amazed by the connection he had with them and every time I see a lion special on I think of him. So it was much to my surprise that while looking for another book in the library database that I found that he had a book! Of course I had to put it on hold immediately and within 2 days I finished it.
I love the way that the book was written. It wasn't written in away that was too "uppity". It was written in a very casual manner and I really think that worked to the books advantage because lets be honest we want to read about this man and his bond with the animals he undoubtedly loves a great deal.
I enjoyed learning about his early life which he says was far from perfect and freely admits that he was a troublemaker in his youth. Which to me made it even more appealing because who wants to read about someones perfect life? Not me. I think that the reason he's so good with animals is because he feels more of a connection to them than the people in his life. I understand that bond but on a smaller scale...with my house cats, rodents, birds and our dog. I know it's not incredible but trust is trust.
I loved reading about his animals, and learning their stories, learning their little quirks, and seeing just how unique each of them is. But what I loved most was learning how he had to work for them to accept him. Many people think that he has a special gift but I believe that maybe he knows how to read these beautiful and powerful animals better than the rest of us because he pays a little more attention to the rest of us. I mean there is something about him that allows him to be "part of the pride" or else the lionesses would not let him near their newborn cubs, allow him to sleep with them play with them. These animals are beautiful souls with feelings and this book proves that they are capable of having a remarkable bond with this man built on mutual trust and respect.
His stories are incredible and breath taking when you think about the animals that he's talking about. Now I won't spoil any of the book for you by talking about the different animals, I think it would be much better if you read it yourselves.
I highly recommend any and all animal lovers to read this book it's amazing and inspiring!
A few years ago I watched a short documentary called Dangerous Companions about Kevin Richardson and his friends (lions, hyenas, giraffes etc.) I like many other people was amazed by the connection he had with them and every time I see a lion special on I think of him. So it was much to my surprise that while looking for another book in the library database that I found that he had a book! Of course I had to put it on hold immediately and within 2 days I finished it.
I love the way that the book was written. It wasn't written in away that was too "uppity". It was written in a very casual manner and I really think that worked to the books advantage because lets be honest we want to read about this man and his bond with the animals he undoubtedly loves a great deal.
I enjoyed learning about his early life which he says was far from perfect and freely admits that he was a troublemaker in his youth. Which to me made it even more appealing because who wants to read about someones perfect life? Not me. I think that the reason he's so good with animals is because he feels more of a connection to them than the people in his life. I understand that bond but on a smaller scale...with my house cats, rodents, birds and our dog. I know it's not incredible but trust is trust.
I loved reading about his animals, and learning their stories, learning their little quirks, and seeing just how unique each of them is. But what I loved most was learning how he had to work for them to accept him. Many people think that he has a special gift but I believe that maybe he knows how to read these beautiful and powerful animals better than the rest of us because he pays a little more attention to the rest of us. I mean there is something about him that allows him to be "part of the pride" or else the lionesses would not let him near their newborn cubs, allow him to sleep with them play with them. These animals are beautiful souls with feelings and this book proves that they are capable of having a remarkable bond with this man built on mutual trust and respect.
His stories are incredible and breath taking when you think about the animals that he's talking about. Now I won't spoil any of the book for you by talking about the different animals, I think it would be much better if you read it yourselves.
I highly recommend any and all animal lovers to read this book it's amazing and inspiring!
August 15, 2014
Well, it probably goes without saying that I would love this book, but particular mention has to be made for this man's unique bravery, and lack of 'ego'. These things have allowed him to break the mould of 'man overpowers nature' that far too many people adopt when they work with animals. We either try to overpower them, with the use of force or restrictive spacial access, or we remain fully removed from them, and lose the opportunity to truly interact with our earth kin : the animals that share our planet with us. I admire, envy, and am in complete awe of this man, who not only recognised his brothers and sisters in the animal kingdom, but who defies convention, and has mastered his own intuition, and levels of respect and understanding for them - in ways that allow him to truly connect and have very real, and mutually beneficial, relationships with them. Having read this while in South Africa on an EcoLife, 'Vets in the Wild' expedition, (when lent it by one of my fellow travellers who is on his way now to do volunteer work at Kevin's park), I now cannot wait to hear more about his adventures, and his time spent with Kevin Richardson. And spending time with Kevin, to truly learn and understand his techniques, is now top of my bucket list. This, I believe, is how we should all connect with animals. All of them!!!!
February 2, 2013
The book is pretty monotonous and not well written. I guess I can't expect much since Kevin RIchardson is not a writer, but still it was kind of disappointing. I love his way of interaction with animals, I learnt a lot from the book not only about animals but also about wild vs captive animals and some of the misconceptions on this issue. However, I didn't like Kevin's opinion about lions kept so that rich people can go and boost their ego hunting and killing them. Liked the book, but it wasn't what I expected to be. I felt as if Kevin was defending himself all the time, and constantly implying his way is the right way. Also, I didn't like how he treats animals he refers to as "my animals" in comparison to other animals who aren't his... sort of.. I don't want bad things to happen to my animals, and if my animals aren't invovled, I don't care that much.
November 17, 2018
Kevin has spent most of his adult life working closely with predators, mainly lions and hyenas. I admire his approach to his relationships with them. He understands them as individuals and loves them as friends and family. When he started working with lions, he did everything wrong, according to the lion specialists. He sat with them, played with them, exposed himself as vulnerable. Yes, he did get injured some times, but he understood it was from his mistakes rather than the fault of the animal. As he illustrates, it's not enough to love animals; you have to respect and listen to them if you want a true relationship. While I don't agree with all of his attitudes about animals (he believes that eating animals is fine) I love the descriptions of his bonded relationships with them.
July 22, 2012
I tend to agree with Cory on this one. A fantastic subject but a monotonous read, and very repetitive. For all his comments that he doesn't consider himself unique- a lion whisperer- Kevin Richardson actually seems vert impressed with himself and what he does. I found the book a bit self indulgent. Disappointing because the lions are amazing. I shouldn't judge I suppose, if this was my life I would pinch myself every day how lucky I was too.
March 21, 2017
Absolutely loved this book. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it again. I love what he does for the animals in his care. They just don't live in cages for the rest of his life. What a blessing he is to these animals. I would love to go visit/volunteer at his sanctuary. This will be a book that I will read again!!!!
July 8, 2018
Einfach nur toll.
Ich verfolge die Dokumentationen von Kevin Richardson schon seit Jahren und das Buch bietet noch mal einen viel detaillierteren Einblick in sein Leben und vor allem seinen Umgang mit den wilden Tieren, denn er erzählt frei von der Leber weg von seinen Anfängen und auch seinen Fehlern.
Niemand ist perfekt und das musste er immer wieder auf die harte Tour lernen, teils mit schlimmen Verletzungen und entsprechenden Schmerzen.
Schonungslos und ehrlich - großartig erzählt.
Ich verfolge die Dokumentationen von Kevin Richardson schon seit Jahren und das Buch bietet noch mal einen viel detaillierteren Einblick in sein Leben und vor allem seinen Umgang mit den wilden Tieren, denn er erzählt frei von der Leber weg von seinen Anfängen und auch seinen Fehlern.
Niemand ist perfekt und das musste er immer wieder auf die harte Tour lernen, teils mit schlimmen Verletzungen und entsprechenden Schmerzen.
Schonungslos und ehrlich - großartig erzählt.
February 22, 2015
This is a must read for anyone who admires Kevin Richardson. I enjoyed the stories of his youth as much as his stories about his animal friends. The tone of the book is enjoyably conversational. I hope he brings out more books in the future.
February 16, 2021
Incredible book from start to finish. Kevin is an amazing individual who is truly an advocate for animals that really need it. His relationships that he has worked so hard for with each of the animals in his care is amazing to see on his YouTube channel and it was nice to get to read the backstory on how some of those relationships came to be.
June 19, 2025
Une superbe lecture
September 23, 2020
Very fascinating autobiography of a fantastic human being. Educational read for any wildlife conservationists wannabes. Kevin makes it very clear that the calling found him and not the other way around. It was heartwarming, and also heartbreaking, to read the history of some of his beloved animal friends, some of whom are still with him in his current sanctuary.
Want to read
November 2, 2009This comes highly recommended by Citrus County Library's very own Lee! I look forward to experiencing this book.
October 24, 2024
So I'm sure we've all seen the clips floating around the internet of the guy who has a close relationship with lions, and plays and communicates with them the way I do with my housecats. This is his autobiography. He grew up in a modest middle class suburb of a major South African city (Capetown, I believe) and was always a thrillseeker and fascinated with the outdoors. He eventually fell into caring for lions at a ranch, and he developed his system of treating the animals with dignity and care when he helped raise a pair of cubs who eventually became his best friends.
And that's the big takeaway I got - he doesn't feel like he's some kind of superhero because he has earned the trust of 500lb/300kg apex predators. He feels lucky to have had the opportunity to share his life with these amazing creatures, who teach him something new about themselves, the world and himself every day. The anecdotes he shares about how the lions view themselves and the world are familiar to anyone who's loved a housecat - though it hits a bit different when grown lion decides "this huge enclosure is my space now" than when my cat claims a corner of my bed.
The book is laid out in a fairly straightforward chronological order, and is easy to listen to and follow along. Kevin is full of funny, poignant, and heartwrenching stories and they are successfully translated into book form by his assistant writer. We don't get into much detail about the humans in Kevin's life; the human relationships are only incidental to the story about the cats.
This is a MUST READ for cat lovers, and a VERY MUCH SHOULD READ for animal lovers.
I listened to the audiobook via Overdrive from my local library. I listened to it while swimming so I missed about every seventh word and my recollection of the other six is even worse than normal.
Bechdel test? N/A
Mako Mori test? N/A
Vito Russo test? N/A
Latif test? N/A
Reading Level: EASY ADULT
Romance: N/A
Smut: N/A
Violence: N/A
TW: animal violence, animal unaliving
And that's the big takeaway I got - he doesn't feel like he's some kind of superhero because he has earned the trust of 500lb/300kg apex predators. He feels lucky to have had the opportunity to share his life with these amazing creatures, who teach him something new about themselves, the world and himself every day. The anecdotes he shares about how the lions view themselves and the world are familiar to anyone who's loved a housecat - though it hits a bit different when grown lion decides "this huge enclosure is my space now" than when my cat claims a corner of my bed.
The book is laid out in a fairly straightforward chronological order, and is easy to listen to and follow along. Kevin is full of funny, poignant, and heartwrenching stories and they are successfully translated into book form by his assistant writer. We don't get into much detail about the humans in Kevin's life; the human relationships are only incidental to the story about the cats.
This is a MUST READ for cat lovers, and a VERY MUCH SHOULD READ for animal lovers.
I listened to the audiobook via Overdrive from my local library. I listened to it while swimming so I missed about every seventh word and my recollection of the other six is even worse than normal.
Bechdel test? N/A
Mako Mori test? N/A
Vito Russo test? N/A
Latif test? N/A
Reading Level: EASY ADULT
Romance: N/A
Smut: N/A
Violence: N/A
TW: animal violence, animal unaliving
April 7, 2025
briefly Kevin’s childhood time and how he developed love to the animals. He is not the one we thought when we watched his YouTube videos. He always put his lions first. And there are many times he would had died, even by his lions. But he still loves them very much.
Lions don’t speak but Kevin is their voices. This remarkable man is doing respectful work to protect the lions, hyenas and other wild big cats. Kevin Ricardson- you have all my respect and wish you healthy so you can take care of the lions. God bless you Kevin
Lions don’t speak but Kevin is their voices. This remarkable man is doing respectful work to protect the lions, hyenas and other wild big cats. Kevin Ricardson- you have all my respect and wish you healthy so you can take care of the lions. God bless you Kevin
March 3, 2025
"Part of the Pride" by Kevin Richardson is a memoir that's as riveting as any novel.
It made me laugh out aloud in some places, and tear up in others.
I can highly recommend it not only to all fans of the "Lion Whisperer", but to anyone who is passionate about wildlife and conservation.
I'd love to be able to read an updated version of this, or a sequel, now that it's been 16 years since it was first published!
It made me laugh out aloud in some places, and tear up in others.
I can highly recommend it not only to all fans of the "Lion Whisperer", but to anyone who is passionate about wildlife and conservation.
I'd love to be able to read an updated version of this, or a sequel, now that it's been 16 years since it was first published!
June 1, 2021
Growing up I wanted to study lions so this was the book for me. Reading about Kevin's experience was thought provoking. I love lions but would I have been able to get close without showing fear? He has done a lot for the predators in Africa in terms on enriching their environments and educating people around the world. Keep up the great work, Kevin!
February 23, 2024
I was interested to learn about how Mr Richardson got into the work that he does. I just found the writing and timeline a bit too meh. I suppose it is difficult for a person to talk about their life without sounding somewhat self centered and also difficult for a writer to take a person's spoken word and make it into a readable manuscript.
May 17, 2020
Thank you Kevin!
Kevin and his relationship with lions is a lesson in humanity we all can learn from. A long time followed from his YouTube account,, it was great reading about how it all started, especially with the extra special lions featured often with Kevin.
Kevin and his relationship with lions is a lesson in humanity we all can learn from. A long time followed from his YouTube account,, it was great reading about how it all started, especially with the extra special lions featured often with Kevin.
January 24, 2018
Amazing stories!
February 12, 2019
Brilliant Read
April 3, 2020
Excellent !
May 24, 2020
I loved this book, it was an amazing read and to follow the book on I was very lucky to go and visit his kingdom of the white lion sanctuary and got to see his work in action.
May 19, 2021
SO good. I could not put this down!
September 11, 2023
Interesting read, though I disagree with Richardson's methods.
September 4, 2018
This was - at best - mediocre. The first 50 pages were hell to get through. After that, it picked up a bit. Only a bit.
The writing was incoherent and it was hard to follow. And I get it the author is not a professional writer but the writing style was bad. Really very bad.
The writing was incoherent and it was hard to follow. And I get it the author is not a professional writer but the writing style was bad. Really very bad.
November 17, 2013
Jako miłośniczka kotów (tych małych i tych dużych) podeszłam do tej książki z wielką nadzieją, że dowiem, że czegoś nowego na temat tych wspaniałych stworzeń. Trochę się zawiodłam. Kevin Richardson opisywał głównie jego przygoty z lwami, hienami a jakby zapomniał o wzbogaceniu całej treści o detale mogące przykuc uwagę czytelnika. Całość jest napisana zaskakująco dobrym językiem, historie stają się barwne, ale nie przekoloryzowane. Widać, że nie pracowała nad nią tylko jedna osoba. Z czytelniczego punktu widzenia, mogę się jeszcze przyczepić do zbyt długiego wstępu traktujące o dorastaniu Zaklinacza Lwów (napiszę to wielkimi literami, żeby choć w ten sposób oddać szacunek człowiekowi, który pokochał lwy z wzajemnością). W książce był jeszcze jeden fakt, który zadecydował, że dałam mu 2 gwiazdki zamiast 3. Pogląd na temat prywatnych polowań i hodowania w tym celu zwierząt. Jestem temu absolutnie przeciwna, autor zresztą też powinien być, chociaż starał się ze wszystkich sił przekonać czytelnika, że nie ma w tym nic złego, używając argumentów "hodowców" lwów. Zaznaczę tylko, że sam nie akceptuje tego sportu i wydaje mu się on niezwykle brutalny i niesprawiedliwy. Niektórzy powiedzą, że cenią kiedy ktoś stara się zrozumieć swojego oponenta, kiedy autor prezentując argumenty wzbudza w czytelniku oburzenie, prowokuje do zajęcia stanowiska. Jednak akurat ta sprawa jest mi zbyt bliska by przejść obok niej obojętnie i wiem, że powinnam oceniać książkę pod względem jej artystycznych walorów a nie ganić za posiadanie własnego zdania. Chyba Richardson w tej kwestii wywołał u mnie coś więcej niż zdziwienie.
Polecam tą książkę osobom, których fascynuje postać Kevina Richardsona. Zawiera wiele informacji na temat jego dzieciństwa, przygód, kiedy kręcili filmy z lwami. Ja podeszłam do niej z nadzieją, że przybliży mi trochę dzikość i behawioryzm króla zwierząt, więc ocena 2/5 jest jak najbardziej adekwatna.
Polecam tą książkę osobom, których fascynuje postać Kevina Richardsona. Zawiera wiele informacji na temat jego dzieciństwa, przygód, kiedy kręcili filmy z lwami. Ja podeszłam do niej z nadzieją, że przybliży mi trochę dzikość i behawioryzm króla zwierząt, więc ocena 2/5 jest jak najbardziej adekwatna.
October 15, 2014
I love books about real life relationships with animals, so it gets an extra star just because of the subject matter alone. I only recently heard about Kevin Richardson and my first thought was that he was out of his mind. I have a new appreciation for him and what he is doing. I can't imagine how his wife sleeps at night though. I still think eventually he will get attacked by a lion he didn't "read right" or one whose brain has changed wiring over the years... It is phenomenal the relationships he has with his animals and all that he has learned about why animals act the way they do. He is very clear he would not approach a wild lion or any lion he didn't have a strong relationship with since birth. He did throw out some ideas about animals and their various worths to society that I continue to think about -- I learned about "canned hunting" which absolutely made my stomach turn. To me that is absolutely horrific, but I know there are many different worlds out there I will never understand. I hope he is able to get the resources to continue to fund his work - I hope people start to realize how important it is to stop the extinction of species - and I hope he lives a long and happy life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews