Embed

Me and My Lions

A man sold his apartment to rescue a pride

The Me and My Lions film by RT Documentary tells the amazing story of a Russian man who sold his Moscow apartment to save 8 lions from being euthanised. To do it, Aleksey relocated to South Africa and is now working two jobs to support his pets. He has ten of them now — two were given him later as a gift.  Aleksey leased an enclosure for his lions on a farm. The rent is a lot, as he spends 70% of his income, so his lions have a home. It's common practice for South African farms to keep wild animals to guard the property. Keeping lions as pets has been Aleksey's dream, but when it seemed to have finally come true, he was confronted with a new challenge.

In South Africa, there is a popular pastime called canned hunting. But what passes for hunting is an execution. The lions are trapped in an enclosed space. They have nowhere to run, so sooner or later, all of them end up as trophies without much chase involved. In a noble attempt to stop this cruel recreation, the country's authorities have drafted a law that would completely ban any farms and reserves with lions, no matter for what purpose they were originally built. And before closing, all adult lions will be put down. With his American colleague Claudia and a group of like-minded enthusiasts, Aleksey has opened One Cat Foundation — a body to protect lions in South Africa. There are about 10,000 lions at risk, but Aleksey's foundation hopes to save at least fifty.

How will this rescue mission go? Do the lions have a chance to survive this law?

Subscribe to get stories the mainstream media ignores: Subscribe RTD's Youtube

WATCH TRAILER
Please rate this film

10.00(13 users)

Published: 06 August 2021 19:00

Duration

25:44

Tags
Watch this film in Russian

don't miss

26:33
Meeting with Nature 09 April 2021 17:00

Aurora Hunters. Chasing nature’s fantastic light shows

26:33
Meeting with Nature 02 April 2021 17:00

Black Holes of Yamal. Scientists unraveling the mystery of Siberia’s giant craters

26:33
Discovering Russia 11 January 2023 12:00

Russia: 85 Adventures. Exploring the country's top landmarks

26:33
Emergencies and Disasters 24 January 2022 12:00

Forest Under Attack. Dismal results of deforestation

26:33
Crime and Terrorism 19 January 2022 12:00

My Father’s Murder: Solved

26:33
Human Rights 31 January 2022 12:00

Don't Sell Me, Mama! Selling children to buy food

26:33
Crime and Terrorism 02 February 2022 12:00

Afghan Déjà Vu. Afghan creative class under the Taliban

26:33
Military and War 29 January 2024 12:00

Leningrad Unbreakable. Bombs, hunger, cold: how the city survived the blockade during WWII

26:33
Lifestyle 27 December 2023 12:00

How I Became a Cosmonaut. How a regular guy's aspiration to become a cosmonaut came true

26:33
Travel and Adventure 31 October 2011 00:00

The Shantar Islands: Braving the Storm. A voyage to the most inaccessible islands in Russia's Far East

26:33
Discovering Russia 06 April 2020 01:00

Freed to Be Wild. The endangered animals of Russia and the dedicated people who save them

26:33
Meeting with Nature 14 May 2021 17:00

Never Furget . How harp seals came to the verge of extinction

26:33
Travel and Adventure 24 September 2018 00:00

Hot Race, Cold Dogs. 2,100 km by dog sled across Kamchatka’s wild tundra

26:33
Meeting with Nature 02 January 2023 12:00

A Bear's Tale. Can a bear become a pet?

26:33
Lifestyle 17 November 2023 12:00

Torn From The Tundra. Children of reindeer herders leave the Tundra to start school in the city

26:33
Meeting with Nature 14 December 2015 00:00

Bear with Me. Preparing bear cubs for the perils of the wild

26:33
Environment 15 June 2020 13:30

Antarctica. Terra Somniantes. Penguins, scientists and Vostok base, a taste of Antarctica’s magic

26:33
Meeting with Nature 04 January 2017 00:00

It's a Pandaful Life! How China is saving the giant panda from extinction

26:33
Environment 21 September 2022 12:00

The Seal Empire under Threat. Northern sea lions choke on plastic garbage

26:33
Lifestyle 23 October 2023 12:00

Akhal-Teke Horses: Heavenly Creatures. Spectacular horses from Turkmenistan shatter world records

VIEWER’S CHOICE: 1,000,000 VIEWS AND MORE

VIEW ALL