Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Anthony Ham, Allen & Unwin, $32.99.
Foresight displayed by Anthony Ham is compelling. Described as one of Australia’s most experienced nature and travel writers, his zeal and commitment to the world of lions is unbelievable.
Anthony knowledgeably intermingles natural history, ancient lore and multidisciplinary science to bring us into the countries where lions and indigenous peoples fight not for reign of the land, but for their very existence.
Researched over seven years, Anthony tracked more than 500 lions across six countries. It’s an extraordinary and poignant account of one man’s love of the world of lions, why they are fast disappearing and what can be done to save them from extinction. This will then save Africa, whose delicate ecosystem depends on these apex predators to keep everything in balance. He has courageously travelled to some of the most remote corners of the African wilderness to raise awareness of their dwindling numbers.
Anthony takes readers with him on his quest, along the way revealing the latest extraordinary science surrounding the earth’s dwindling lion population and their surprising relationship to mankind.
Each chapter is a combination of a captivating campfire story, sincerely researched investigation of lion habitats and a jump-off point to explore larger mysteries of the natural world. Through the vivid storytelling, we are enlightened, entertained and become engaged with the fate of these embattled creatures and the surprising ways they might be saved.
Enthusiastic about wildlife and wild places, of course Ham has some harrowing tales to tell. What it’s like to camp out in hyena country with two small children, being nearly mauled by a lion in the desert and being arrested in Iran and held up at knifepoint in Cameroon while on assignment.
Before turning his hand to photography and journalism nearly 20 years ago, Anthony was a refugee lawyer.
