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Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & the Future of Africa's Iconic Cats Hardcover – April 10, 2018
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In 2015, an American hunter named Walter Palmer shot and killed a lion named Cecil. The lion was one of dozens slain each year in Zimbabwe, which legally licenses the hunting of big cats. But Cecil’s death sparked unprecedented global outrage, igniting thousands of media reports about the peculiar circumstances surrounding this hunt. At the center of the controversy was Dr. Andrew Loveridge, the zoologist who had studied Cecil for eight years. In Lion Hearted, Loveridge pieces together, for the first time, the fascinating life and murky details of this beloved lion’s slaying.
In the tradition of Born Free and Gorillas in the Mist, Lion Hearted chronicles Loveridge’s long acquaintance with a host of charismatic lions that his team has tracked, often from birth to death. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, Loveridge learned to love predators at the knee of his father, an eminent herpetologist who stored baby crocodiles in the family bathtub. After earning his doctorate at Oxford, he seized an invitation to study the lions of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park. There he meets Stumpy Tail, who, despite her name, has the dignity of the Queen of the Animal Kingdom; Dynamite, a venerable coalition leader who, muscled out by younger males, sets off on an incredible thirty-seven-day, 137-mile journey to find a new home; and Kataza, who escapes another lion’s claws, and whom Loveridge twice saves from death at the hands of humans. And, of course, there is Cecil. Dethroned in an epic battle, he forms an alliance with a former rival. He also becomes a favorite of photographers and tourists—until the fateful night when a Minnesota dentist and his hunting guide entice the trusting cat with a free meal.
Loveridge unravels the complexities of lion society and the dangers the cats face both within their ranks and from the outside world. Despite their ruthless reputation, lions can form deep emotional bonds—females live in prides, a sisterhood of mothers, daughters, sisters, and aunts that can exhibit military precision when hunting in formation; males band together in coalitions to vie for control of territory and the female prides. They also display a wide range of emotional behavior, including mourning the loss of their mates, partners, and cubs.
Africa’s lion population is estimated to have shrunk by 43 percent in the last twenty years. There may now be as few as 20,000 wild lions across the entire continent—far fewer than the number of elephants. While deploring the killing of lions for sport, Loveridge does not believe that banning trophy hunting, by itself, will halt the decline of Africa’s lion populations. He sees greater threats in human population growth, the loss of habitat to agriculture, and the illegal trade in lion body parts for use in traditional medicines. And he offers concrete proposals for averting the lion’s extinction.
More than a gripping detective story, Lion Hearted is an exploration of humanity’s relationship with the natural world and an attempt to keep this majestic species from disappearing. “Lions are one of the most beloved animals on the planet,” Loveridge observes. “They are the national symbol of no fewer than fifteen countries. . . . Surely, we can think of a better way to save the wild animals we love besides killing them.”
- Print length288 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRegan Arts.
- Publication dateApril 10, 2018
- Dimensions6 x 1 x 9 inches
- ISBN-101682451208
- ISBN-13978-1682451205
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- Publisher : Regan Arts. (April 10, 2018)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1682451208
- ISBN-13 : 978-1682451205
- Item Weight : 1.16 pounds
- Dimensions : 6 x 1 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,109,933 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #290 in Biology of Cats, Lions & Tigers
- #1,790 in Environmentalist & Naturalist Biographies
- #6,730 in Nature Conservation
- Customer Reviews:
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Customers find the book easy to read and informative. They appreciate the author's honest account of the lion research project and the challenges lions face in life. The book is described as an educational and important contribution to conservation literature.
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Customers find the book engaging and informative. They praise its well-written and edited content, educational approach, and impressive presentation. The account of an iconic animal is presented in an intelligent and non-patronizing way.
"It is a really good book. The author shared stories about the lion research project and the real challenges lions face in life...." Read more
"...He most certainly was! This was fascinating to read before we left then again when we returned. Highly recommend this book to any and all!..." Read more
"...facts among the hunting and regulatory authorities are interwoven in an intelligent, non-patronizing way...." Read more
"...This book met my expectations for multiple reasons. First, it was well-written and edited...." Read more
Customers enjoy the book's storyline. They find it a true account of the author's lion research project and the challenges lions face in life. The book also covers lion behavior and management in Zimbabwe.
"It is a really good book. The author shared stories about the lion research project and the real challenges lions face in life...." Read more
"...Second, there was a huge focus on lion behavior and lion "management" in Zimbabwe...." Read more
"...Cecil’s death was not in vain as this incredible story memorializes his life and the lives of all lions." Read more
"True story, great read, fact based, and such a shame......" Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2023It is a really good book. The author shared stories about the lion research project and the real challenges lions face in life. It made me really sad when reading about pride males were hunted by trophy hunters and how the other male were calling for days. The pride became fragmented then disappeared. It was emotional for me to read the book and I learned a lot about lions.
- Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2021We were about to take a trip to Africa and were told the gentleman who was to be our guide was talked about in this book. He most certainly was! This was fascinating to read before we left then again when we returned. Highly recommend this book to any and all! We purchased one for us and one to take to him. He loved it!
- Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2018The media scrum around Cecil the lion failed to provide context, it’s hard for any journalist to adequately caption a lifetime of scientific study. Andy paints a stark picture of the effects of legal trophy hunting in Hwange National Park, a picture that could only be obtained by decades of study. The fact that most of the lion mortality observed by the project was connected to legal or illegal hunting and the resulting infanticide associated with power vacuums created by the loss of key pride members casts real doubt on the benefits of trophy hunting and the ‘if it pays, it stays’ paradigm. The personal stories of the biologists, the lions and the reactions to inconvenient facts among the hunting and regulatory authorities are interwoven in an intelligent, non-patronizing way. A great, and important contribution to conservation literature.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2019Like many people, I had heard of the "Cecil the Lion" incident. Later, I found myself driving by the very railroad Cecil had crossed toward the bait before he was killed near Hwange National Park. And I've used this case history in multiple university lectures to date.
So I looked forward to reading Lion Hearted: The Life and Death of Cecil & the Future of Africa's Iconic Cats. This book met my expectations for multiple reasons. First, it was well-written and edited. The photos certainly could have been of higher quality, but then the book would probably cost more. Second, there was a huge focus on lion behavior and lion "management" in Zimbabwe. This was also interesting, and gave me a better sense of the political and social environment around and within Hwange. Finally, you "see" the life and times of Cecil the lion, and understand his death in a way that no one else could describe other than the author, whose team put the GPS collar on Cecil.
Recommended.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2019I was angry that this lion Cecil was killed in 2015. I heard about this book and wanted to know more about how Cecil lived and what has happened to any other lions that lived with cecil. Knowing more about them has made me appreciate the people who are doing what they can to save any remaining lions.
- Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2020I am an animal advocate and I have been screaming about this type of thing for years, this type of thing should never have happened. Cecil should've lived a long and happy life.
- Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2020Excellent book. Hopefully it helps to raise awareness of the shocking truth and what happened to Cecilm and will help to ensure it can be prevented form continuing.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2020This is an amazing account of the worlds most iconic animal. Cecil’s death was not in vain as this incredible story memorializes his life and the lives of all lions.
Top reviews from other countries
- Anthony BallanceReviewed in the United Kingdom on August 20, 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic book on lions and Cecil...
This is one of the best books I have ever read - well I actually listened to it on audio books. It tracks the history of the lion research project in Hwange and of course this leads up to the story of the sad demise of Cecil. It is very well written and very balanced in tone. The book also discusses the future of lions and conservation in Africa with very insightful views expressed. I wasn't 100% taken in my the American narration but the underlying writing is first rate.
- Gail BakerReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 31, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant story, such a tragic ending to a most amazing lion
Beautiful ❤
- june m dayReviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2022
5.0 out of 5 stars Cecil little angel
I love lions but it was so sad about Cecil beautiful boy people are so cruel
- vickitReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 28, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read!
Very well written. An interesting read for anyone interested in wildlife or conservation. Lots of atmospheric descriptions of the Zimbabwean Bush, and plenty of witty recollections and stories to keep the reader interested. Fascinating insights into the behaviour of lions and the pride. A thought provoking book which has challenged me to think about hunting and it’s impact on the sustainability of lions in the wild.
- Vanessa HardingReviewed in the United Kingdom on June 17, 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars A personal, insightful tribute to Cecil & the challenges of conservation in Africa
Fascinating & insightful read not only about the story of Cecil but also the wider context & challenges for lions & conservation in Africa. Highly recommended