Jonathan's fierce expression as he stared fixedly through the rain at the passing landscape belied his actions. One arm cradled the lion laying across his lap, while the other hand gently stroked the maneless, scrawny neck. Anybody peering into the car would have found it difficult to understand how such an angry looking man could behave so tenderly and compassionately. Meanwhile, the lion seemed not to care where he was going or what was to become of him. His lifeless eyes gave no clue as to whether he even expected to survive the short journey.

The listlessness didn't leave him even when, back at the compound, Jonathan carried him into a warm, dry building and laid him on a bed of straw. The vet who arrived within an hour of Jonathan's call was aghast at the spectacle laying before him. He was horrified when he learned that the lion was two and one-half years old, and advised that there was no way he would live to see his third birthday and probably wouldn't even survive the next 24 hours.

He diagnosed rickets, arthritis, and severe malnutrition which would have weakened his immune system. The lion also had "scurs" on his feet due to his claws having been removed by somebody inexperienced and incapable. This, the vet said, would make it very painful for him to walk. His advice was that the kindest course of action would be to euthanize him.

I watched Jonathan's face as the vet spoke and I already knew that determined look. There was no way that he would destroy this animal if he thought he could give him a second chance at life! Only if there was no way of controlling the pain. Only if the damage that had been done could not be repaired. Only if there was no chance of any quality of life. Only then, would he consider that the lion would be better off dead. The anger that he had been suppressing all morning now surfaced, and every human within earshot was cursed for the suffering that had been inflicted on this poor animal. Jonathan began barking orders.

From the vet he demanded antibiotics, vitamins, medicines - anything to relieve Sabu's pain. Neither I nor any of the volunteers who were gathered around the inert body of the animal escaped his ire. Jonathan wanted straw - lots of it - to cover the floor of the lion's new home in a 12" thick soft carpet. He wanted extra heaters brought in. He wanted food prepared - food fit for a King! And, he wanted it NOW! He would supply the love and attention the animal so badly needed if it was to be brought back to life. He would not let this animal die so ignominiously. For the next few days he never left the animal's side. When exhaustion overcame him, he slept on the straw next to his dying patient.

Another problem had been discovered when he had tried to give the lion its first meal. Eating obviously caused a lot of pain. When Jonathan checked inside the lion's mouth, he found that it had a broken jaw causing the molars to push back into the gums. The poor thing must have found it agonizing to eat, but was now far too weak to undergo treatment. Meals had to be prepared so that the lion was able to eat without feeling too much pain. Eventually he regained some strength and we could see that he was going to live. "Sabu's rehabilitation had begun!" By then I had given up any thoughts of taking up my new job, and not once since that time have I regretted my decision.

Watching Sabu's recovery has been an amazing experience. At first he required a lot of medical attention due to his low immunity, but his system strengthened and his health has improved. As soon as he was strong enough, he had his molars reshaped, and although it was too late to re-set his jaw, he could then eat painlessly.

In the early days he did have difficulty in walking and it was only the thick carpeting of straw that allowed him to move around without suffering a lot of discomfort. Since then, with daily massages on his legs and an operation to remove the "scurs" on his feet, he is able to stride around majestically showing off his new mane.

Despite the vet's prediction, Sabu celebrated his third birthday inMay 1997, and weighing over 300 lbs., he's a real lion in every sense of the word. His natural instincts are coming out and he's becoming a lot more assertive. Still somehow, he's managed to forgive the human race for his early treatment, and shows it by showering everybody he meets with an over-abundance of love and affection. He does have neurological problems; however, that can never be overcome. Due to inbreeding, his sense of balance has been affected and he often staggers about as though he's drunk. But this certainly doesn't bother him.

Often I sit and cuddle him in the new "winter house' that Jonathan has just built for him, and I can feel the contentment within him. His massive heart is filled with so much love that I fear one day he'll burst from sheer joy. But then he'll hear Jonathan's voice. His body stiffens and he becomes alert, his sloppiness over me now forgotten, his eyes glaze over. As Jonathan comes into view, the lion that couldn't even stand over a year ago, springs to his feet, leaps into the air, and kicks his back heels together like a playful lamb, races "drunkenly" to greet his favorite human. He can't contain his excitement! Funny little baby noises come from his throat as he jumps up and wraps his front legs around Jonathan, clasping him to his chest as though they hadn't seen each other for years.

Visitors watching these spontaneous demonstrations of affection from such a powerful animal, particularly if they know of his earlier experiences, then understand why lions are often described as "noble". That word fits Sabu perfectly- a lion with a heart big enough to forgive.

This story is in loving memory of Sabu, who passed away 10/13/2001, after happily living with us for over 6 1/2 years.

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* This is a true story written by a volunteer.

I came to Las Vegas to work with an exotic animal show in one of the major hotels. After settling into my apartment I still had a couple of weeks to spare before starting work. Having heard about Keepers of the Wild, I went there to find out more about them. I was so impressed with the work they were doing that, when I was offered the opportunity to help out as a volunteer for a few weeks, I eagerly accepted. Early the next morning I received a call from Jonathan asking me to go with him to collect an animal that he had seen the previous day. An hour or so later, as we were driving out of town, Jonathan filled in the details. Apparently, a few days earlier he had been called by a lady who was looking for a good home for a tiger that she had trained for work in show business, but now, through lack of available work, she had no use for him.

Jonathan had found the tiger in good condition, but the lady also had a lioness that was suffering from a broken leg. While inspecting the animals, Jonathan noticed yet another cage situated at the other end of the garden. On approaching this cage, he was appalled by what he saw. The cage contained an obviously very sick thirty month-old male lion who was slowly pacing around in a small circle, his head hung low - his spirit broken. The animal needed urgent medical attention, so Jonathan offered to take him back to Keepers where he could get the care he so badly needed. The offer was refused as the lady owner was reluctant to allow anybody else to witness the disgraceful way she had let the animal's health deteriorate and preferred that it be "put to sleep."

Jonathan left empty-handed, but after a sleepless night worrying about the poor creature, he called the lady very early the next morning. Knowing she was desperate to find a home for the tiger, he agreed to take him - but only on the condition that he could also take the other two animals. She was left with no choice and we were now going to pick up all three animals with the Bronco and the trailer.

Jonathan warned me that the animal was in very poor conditon and that I might find the sight distressing. Having been involved with exotic animals for some years, I had come across this type of situation many times and felt that I was, by now, unshockable.

In the early morning gloom and inches of slushy mud, the owner led us around the side of the house. Laying in the mud, unsheltered from the falling rain, was the sorriest lion I had ever seen. His fur was covered is his own feces, his ears had been badly bitten by flies, but worse, and even more heartrendering, was his demeanor. He didn't care! He was apathetic and just laid in the stinking mire, his head hung down, his eyes accepting his fate. He didn't even look up as we approached but just stared blindly at the floor a few inches beneath his face. He was obviously close to death.

"Jonathan, we're too late," I whispered. But he wasn't listening! Striding purposefully across the squelching mud, he undid the cage and, without a word or
glance at the owner, picked up the lion and carried him in his arms to our Bronco.

The animal should have weighed 200-250 lbs., but in fact, it weighed less than 100 lbs. He didn't put up a struggle, his near-lifeless body laid still on the blanket where Jonathan gently placed him. It certainly wasn't through fear, because it was obvious his emotions had already died! Maybe a sixth sense told him that this man wouldn't hurt him, but more likely, it was because he didn't have the strength, or the will, to fight.