Born Wild: The Extraordinary Story of One Man's Passion for Lions and for Africa. [Kindle Edition]

I happened upon this book entirely by accident. I knew well the story of Joy & George Adamson and Elsa but was entirely unaware of Tony Fitzjohn's contribution to the conservation of African wildlife over the last 40 years. Well, what a read! From the moment I sat down with the book I was enthralled. I was unable to put it down and felt an energy and passion lifting off the pages towards me at every turn. Tony Fitzjohn is a man to be deeply admired and his obvious lifelong commitment to the lions and leopards (and indeed all wildlife) of Africa is truely inspirational. The personal challenges he faced and overcame are not dwelled upon but the glancing references to them throughout only serve to heighten his achievements in the face of adversity both from within and without. Tony Fitzjohn is a true hero for wildlife and one who tells his story in an entertaining, heartfelt, honest and compelling way. I laughed and cried (in equal measure) while reading this remarkable man's account of his journey to date.

This book was first published in 2010, has 317 pages, 82 colour/B/W pictures and 3 large maps. The book is dedicated to the creatures of the wild. ANTHONY RAYMOND FITZJOHN was born on 7.7.1945 in London. His mother gave him for adoption. He was raised in Cockfosters. He loved scouting. It was the book 'Tarzan of the Apes', that inspired him to go to Africa. In 1968, he sails to CAPETOWN, South Africa. He hitchhikes to Kenya. At the long bar at Stanley Hotel, NAIROBI, he meets Ian Hudges, who takes him on safari to MARALAL and teaches bushcraft. In the south, from LOITOKITOK, he could see Mt Kilimanjaro (19,340ft). After reading 'Bwana Game', Fitz was to meet George Adamson. Terence Adamson, 2 years younger, took him to KORA- KAMPI YA SIMBA (camp of the lions). George indroduces Fitz to young lion - Christian. Fitz stayed at Kora for 18 years. A HUNGRY LION IS AN ANGRY LION.
Joy Adamson did not like Fitz or Terence. Afternoon siesta is a must for Fitz. Terence was grumpy old sod, but loved elephants. At the age of 27, Fitz was very happy at lonely Kora, near the TANA RIVER. From George, he learnt animal behaviour and how to use the sense of smell. In 1972, he visits Isiolo and Lake Turkana (Rudolf). One day Christian shook Fitz and gave him hell of a shock. On 19.10.1974, Kora was made into a Game Reserve. Fitz then meets Leakey and Freddie lion cubs at Kora. With more lions and lionesses, the total rose to 10. After George spent time in Nairobi Hospital with broken pelvis, Fitz was next there after a large lion tore his neck and shoulder. He gets bad malaria. Then George and later Terence get attacked by their lions. The game department wanted Kora closed, just as Fitz got his work permit -Assistant Kora game reserve. He goes to Europe to form a 'TRUST'. Then in 1980, Joy Adamason is killed in SABA.
Fitz is given 2 leopard cubs, so 'KAMPI YA CHUI' is built. He learns to fly. Fitz mother died soon after his father had visited him in Kora. Leopard programme was going well. George and Terence were getting older. On 5.4.1986, Terence had died. In 1988, after been asked to leave, Fitz wanted to move to MKOMAZI, 1350 sq miles, game reserve, northeast Tanzania. He was beaten and locked up. On 20.8.1989, George was murdered. He was 83. Fitz missed 'THE OLD MAN'then and he misses him now. Fitz was now 45. Fund raising started, with it improvements to Mkomazi. After solving his drink problem, he falls in love with Lucy Mellotte. North of Mkomazi, is TSAVO West National Park, Kenya. In 1993, his father died of stroke.
The camp in Mkomazi was in KISIMA (water-well). Black rhino and african hunting dogs were reintroduced. Many political problems faced the reserve including hunting. Fitz and Lucy have their son - Alexander (Mukka) in 1996. They marry in Kora. They then have 3 girls, Jemima, Tilly and Imogen. Work started to restore Kora National Park. Mkomazi finally gets its National park status. Their children go to boarding schools. In 2006, Fitz is awarded OBE. This book is a wonderful addition to books on East Africa. Fitz and his team's dedication is visible and palpable and it is lovely to see Fitz remembering his 'OLD MAN' (George Adamson). Other books with similar theme are:-
(1) Bwana Game, George Adamson 1968
(2) My Pride and Joy, George Adamson 1986
(3) The Great Safari, Adrian House 1993
(4) Born Free/Living Free/Forever Free, Joy Adamson 1960/61/62
(5) Lord of the Lions, Sandy Gall 1991
(6) Last of the Free, Gareth Patterson 1994
(7) The Tsavo Story, Dame Daphne Sheldrick 1973
(8) On Playing with Lions, Virginnia Mckenna 1966
(9) Return to the Wild, Norman Carr 1963
(10)A Lion Called Christian, Bourke and Randall 1971 (2009)
Having born in Kenya, I enjoyed reading this book.
Read and ENJOY.

I used to live in the house at the bottom of his garden in Cockfosters, and played with him and his sister, so was really interested in how Tony has got on. This is a really interesting read despite there being a lot of African names to remember throughout the book. Harrowing at times but one really gets the feel of the struggle George and he had. They achieved so much with so little. Quite humbling. Well done to him and his family and good luck for the future.