Pride Of Kenya

Things happened rather rapidly this week. Suddenly we had a name for the WildlifeDirect lion – Androcles. Before we get used to that, Peter, a friend of WildlifeDirect, who photographs, films and writes for the BBC, visited the artist who is working on the lion and took amazing pictures. And now you can see the first pictures of Androcles as he takes shape in the hands of the renowned artist, Mary Collis.

What’s Mary Collis telling the mighty Androcles?

Androcles is all about the message: all about communicating the plight of Kenya’s 2,100 lions. He wants to tell the world of the killings, the poisoning, the human-lion conflict. He also wants to tell the story of successful lion conservation efforts in Kenya, the good things good people are doing to save his kind from extinction, first in Kenya, then worldwide.

Boy Androcles, that there is a ‘rich’ mane you’ve got

Now, Androcles base colour is pinkish. Am told that colour is called Fuchsia. Looks like bright pink to me, but what do I know? But why paint a lion fuchsia?

His mane is also starting to look like money – ‘the moneyed mane’ so to say. I have an idea why this is so… Mary sort of mentioned it in a conversation we had. But would you by any chance hazard a guess?

Money, money, money: What’s with the cash?

Well, here is the chalenge for you. Can you tell us:

1. Why Androcles base colour is that pinkish fuchsia?
2. Why Androcles mane is starting to look like money?
3. Who was Androcles in Roman storytelling?
4. Why is our Androcles named so?

Another thing – we want you to help us get more information about lions. Lions in history, popular culture, mythology, or in any other way that you know about lions. Share with us links about lions, stories about lions and anything you want to share about and for lions.

Let’s save Kenya’s lions, together, while we have fun. And don’t forget to donate.