Born Wild Page 33

  ‘Tony,’ they said, ‘the board of TANAPA are very happy with your investment here in Mkomazi and we would like you to continue for as long as is practical and possible.’

  It was great to hear it said out loud. Over the twenty years we have been at Mkomazi we have had all sorts of problems with individuals but the central relationship between us and the government has always been good. The authorities have always let me get on and do the job in the field. They trust us and the Tanzanians who work here to do the best we can for the wildlife and the area. I am extremely grateful to them for giving me the chance. Brigadier Mbita has announced his intention to step down as chairman as soon as the agreement with TANAPA is signed so they can take as long as they like: we don’t want to let him go.

  The great thing about both our projects is that they are vibrant and flourishing and moving forward. The wild dogs continue to breed, we continue to vaccinate, wait a generation and then release them. The rhino sanctuary is a going concern with a viable population from various gene pools. The rhinos are breeding, there’s no fighting and they browse happily away – being rhinos in the place where they belong. More importantly, we have trained up an entire team of people at Mkomazi to know how to run a game sanctuary, look after the most valuable animals in the world and bring a species back from the edge of extinction. I’m not redundant yet but I’m working on it.

  Of course I’m desperate to have some more lions or leopards in Kora and it will come. Julius Kipn’getich told me the other day I have his blessing. And we are going to train up a new team in Kora. I had some great people working for me in George’s day but I didn’t manage them as well as I should have done. I didn’t give them enough chances to make mistakes and I didn’t help them to exceed their expectations. I’m so proud of my team in Mkomazi – Elisaria and Fred at Headquarters and Semu and Sangito with the animals. And they have brought on teams of their own too. I want to do the same again in Kora and I know George will be watching over me as I do.

  In earlier days, my constant urge to keep going forward may have prevented me from reflecting enough on the past. Now I try to do both. I was asked by a film crew the other day why it had taken me so long to go back to where George had been killed. I was with Ibrahim Mursa, a Kenya Wildlife Service game scout from Asako, who was the driver of the first vehicle on the scene after the ambush. The reporter asked why I was writing a book and taking so much time to look back when normally I only looked forwards. I didn’t know how to answer for a while but then said that I felt I had to reflect on the past a little more responsibly. They asked me what I’d learnt or found out. I recalled the carefully prepared words of Winston Churchill that George had once read out to me: ‘Success is not final,’ he said. ‘Failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.’

  I have found that courage.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  As I reach the end of this book I feel as if I should embark on an Oscar-winner’s speech of thanks. There are so many people I need to thank and so many debts to be paid but I’ll never manage it. All of you, all over the world, who have helped me so much over the years know who you are and I couldn’t have done it without you, and whether it’s been a bed for a night, a tractor, a year’s running costs or pure moral support, my gratitude is immense. Thank you, all. This book is for you as well.

  I also know that without George’s guidance I would never have succeeded in half of what we have done. George devoted his life to the wildlife of East Africa and he showed me how to walk with lions. I miss the Old Man every day as I try to live up to his beliefs - working to give animals a chance to live with dignity in their own land. I know there’ll be problems ahead but I also know that Lucy and I will be able to find a way around them. If we continue to care enough and ’keep going forward one step at a time’, we’ll walk with lions again.

  And this book would never have taken off, let alone been completed, without the friendship, professionalism and sheer lunatic energy of Miles Bredin, my co-author. An accomplished journalist and author, he ’got it’ and was often way ahead of me on this journey of reflection and adventure. I was amazed at both his perceptions and feelings, and the historical context that he provided as background was invaluable.

  Eleo Gordon at Penguin worked tirelessly and with formidable and enormous enthusiasm to make sure that the book was a fitting tribute to both George and all the animals. The way she steered the project across continents and still allowed us to be able to continue with our work was a coup of some genius. It was always a great pleasure when we got together in London, but even I almost crumpled at the pace!

  Without my wife Lucy no one would have had anything to work from. She produced three hundred pages of chronology from both our diaries and was critical at the end stages when I didn’t quite get it right or went a bit overboard. But that’s just work. She has been an amazing friend and companion in two of the more remote areas of East Africa under, at times, some very trying and difficult conditions, and managed to raise four lovely children at the same time as doing all the field administration of the project. It’s all We now, not Me, and without her love and support there would have been a very different story. Many men have said it before, but love is all you need. . .

  KORA FAMILY TREE

  Index

  aardwolf 298

  Adams, Douglas 216

  Adamson, George

  breaks pelvis playing with Arusha 88–9

  Bwana Game 22, 27, 37, 63

  funeral 181–2

  introduction to 24–41, 49

  Joy and 126–7, 128–30

  knowledge of animal behaviour 51–3, 139–40

  Kronenborg's film of his life 254–6l

  lessons learned from 139, 189, 197,268, 315

  and life at Kora 51–68, 86–98, 109–15, 121–2, 131, 134–41, 153

  mauling by Suleiman 111–13

  murder 177–80

  My Pride and Joy 97

  in old age, following death of Terence 157–9, 162, 163, 168, 169, 170, 173, 177

  saves author's life 2, 91

  sayings of 131, 195, 240

  Adamson, Joy 19–20, 23, 27, 34, 36–7, 63, 121, 122

  Born Free see Born Free

  cremation and scattering of the ashes 128–30

  George and 126–7, 128–30

  murder 38, 125, 127–8

  Adamson, Terence 24, 25, 28, 30, 34, 40, 47–8, 51, 66, 67, 84, 91, 115, 138

  attacked by Shade 119

  death 157

  lessons learned from 189, 192, 268

  Addis Ababa 18

  Aden, Mohammed 146

  Adnan (leopard) 153

  African hunting dogs see wild dog

  Agneta, author's friend in Malindi 63, 102

  alcohol 114, 169

  giving up drinking 199–202

  Ali, Wazir 120

  Allen, Bunny 14, 233

  Allen, Dave 141, 142, 145, 155, 233

  Amdany, David 173

  America

  pilot training 150–1

  US Fish and Wildlife Service 226,232, 309

  USTrust 199, 207, 211, 259

  Amin, Idi 35, 83, 237

  Amina (leopard) 154

  Anderson, Rick 307

  Anstey, David 186, 197, 244

  Anti–corruption Squad, Tanzania 285

  Arnot, Richard 13, 21

  Arusha Declaration 186

  Arusha (lioness) 79–80, 86, 88–9, 94, 96, 97, 98, 102, 113, 114, 122, 131

  Asako 33, 59, 116, 125, 130, 171–2,224–5, 253

  primary school 295, 306

  rangers' base 97, 171–2

  windmill 288, 293, 312

  Aschan, Tina 79, 80

  Asmara 19

  Attenborough, David 263

  Attila (leopard) 137, 144, 146

  Auschberg, Prince Alfie 14

  Ayo, Fred 193, 195, 202, 212, 247, 261, 267–8, 282–3, 291, 295, 311, 312, 314

  baboon 62, 136, 166

&nbs
p; Back to Africa organization 292

  Baden–Powell, Robert, 1st Baron 5

  Badger (rhino) 262, 264, 266, 275, 277–8

  Bamford, Sir Anthony 216, 251, 259

  bandits 261

  Somalisee shifta

  Barrah, Jack 69–70, 81, 89, 95–6, 97,131, 141, 182–3

  Baxendale, Nevil 57–8

  Baxter, Lee 211

  Bayusuf, Fahim 108, 109, 297–8

  Beadle, Jeremy 263

  Beard, Peter 114, 186–7

  Behar, Henri 123

  Bell, Carol 80

  Bell, Damian 238

  Bell, Lindsay 92, 111, 114

  Benn, Tony 269

  Bernhard Leopold, Prince of the Netherlands 97, 224, 253, 258–9, 288, 292–3

  Bisanadi Camp 105, 118, 120

  Bitacha, Osman 178–9, 183

  Blackantan (lion) 113, 114, 133

  Blackman, Honor 254

  Blue Peter 151–2

  Bonham, Richard 117, 145, 159

  Borman, Hilla 259

  Borman, Moritz 211, 246, 259

  Born Free 2, 26, 81, 284

  film version 27–8, 38

  Born Free Foundation 228

  Bourke, Ace 26, 32, 71

  Boy (lion) 38–9, 132

  BP 239, 260

  Bradley Martin, Chryssee 84, 99

  Bradley Martin, Esmond 78, 84–5

  Brandon, Pete 162, 246, 259

  Brett, Rob 210, 211, 248

  British Army 110

  buffalo 35, 82, 276

  Bugsy (lion, Lucifer) 154–5, 160–1,166, 168

  Burroughs, Edgar Rice 5–6

  Canadian Trust 162

  Canessa, Roberto 207

  Cape Town 13–14

  Chaka (leopard) 153, 154

  Chaplin, Geraldine 254

  Charles, Prince of Wales 304

  Charlie (female rhino) 243, 289, 295

  Chaudry, Dr 154

  Cheruyiot, Mark 301, 307, 311, 312

  Chester Zoo 255, 294, 306

  Christian (lion) 26–7, 29, 32, 39, 40–2,48–9, 53–7, 58–61, 70–1, 72

  Christian the Lion (documentary) 39, 50, 82

  Christie, Gus 263

  Christie, Imogen 263

  Churchill, Winston 315

  Civil Aviation Authority, Kenya 217, 312

  Clarke, Ken, wildlife manager 103, 104, 106

  Clunes, Martin 229, 230, 235, 237

  Cockfosters 2, 3–4, 148

  Coetzee, Clem 229

  collarbone injury of the author 306–7

  Collins, Dougie 159, 183

  communications 141, 276–7

  Corbally–Stourton, Patrick 'Bunter' 147

  Craig, Ian 177, 211, 241

  Dam, Catrien van 296

  Dam, Ted van 273, 296, 313

  Daniel (lion born to Juma) 62, 86–7,96, 97–8, 102, 114

  Dar es Salaam 195–6, 210

  embassy bombing 246

  OBE party 302

  de Souza, Nick 299

  Deakin, Roger 124

  Decker, Fred 198, 209

  Dickinson, Kit 69

  Dickinson, Sandy 69

  Dikayu, Ongesa 179

  Dirkicha, Erigumsa 2, 25, 66, 91,107–8, 158–9, 224

  Dobie, Charles 191, 209, 217, 231, 233, 244, 285, 294

  dogs, wild see wild dog

  drinksee alcohol

  du Plessis, Dawie 20

  du Plessis, Sand 20

  Duncan, Alex 4

  Dutch Trust 246, 250

  Dvur Kralove zoo 291–2

  Eastwood, Clint 199

  Edinburgh, Prince Philip, Duke of 304

  Edmonds, Doddie 170, 171, 172, 173

  education

  Mkomazi education centre andprogramme 299–300, 305, 306

  schoolssee schools

  Trust outreach and 246, 250, 271–4,294, 295, 299–300, 306

  Ekai, Paul 128

  Eleanor (elephant) 133

  elephant 46, 48–9, 82, 99–100, 103,105, 107, 116, 288–9

  filming with Eleanor 133

  Mkomazi Game Reserve 186–7, 202, 209, 242, 292, 303

  transportation of 228–9

  see also specific named animals

  Elizabeth II 304

  Elke, nurse 153

  Elliot, Rodney 17

  Ellis, Kim 161, 164, 173, 177, 204

  Elsa (lioness) 28, 126

  Elsa Trust 122, 181, 183, 216

  Eltringham, Keith 124, 227, 292

  Elvis (rhino) 263–4, 289, 294

  Emmanuel (cook) 228

  Enfield Grammar School 6

  Enoch, Erasto 201

  Eritrea 19

  Ethiopia 18–19, 95, 150

  Evans, rhino tracker 295

  Express Dairies 9–10, 11

  Fatima (leopard) 154

  Fincher, Terry 123

  Fish and Wildlife Service (US) 226, 232, 309

  Fitzjohn family background 3–4

  Tony's childhood and schooling 2–9

  Tony's first jobs and experiences of Africa 9–23

  Tony's natural parents 2–3

  Fitzjohn, Hilda (Tony's adoptivemother) 3, 148

  Fitzjohn, Imogen (Tony's daughter) 256, 298, 305, 310

  Fitzjohn, Jemima (Tony's daughter) 243, 290, 295, 310

  Fitzjohn, Leslie (Tony's adoptive father) 3, 6–7, 147–8, 153–4, 206–7

  Fitzjohn, Lucy, nee Mellotte (Tony's wife) 235, 236, 243, 244, 245, 262, 269–70

  see also Mellotte, Lucy

  Fitzjohn, Margaret (Tony's sister) 4, 148

  Fitzjohn, Mukka (Alexander, Tony'sson) 225, 235, 264–5, 287–8, 290, 295, 305, 310

  Fitzjohn, Tilly (Tony's daughter) 256, 298, 310

  Flying Doctors 89–90, 92, 111, 146, 170, 224

  flying licence 150, 153, 217, 218, 221

  Fosbrooke, Henry 220

  Fouche, Jacobus 20

  Freddie (lion) 76–7, 78, 80, 86, 89–90, 94, 96, 98, 102, 118, 119

  to the rescue 1, 2, 89, 91

  Freels, Larry 150, 191, 211, 251

  Friends of Mkomazi 196, 204

  Friends of Serengeti 211, 212

  fundraising 88, 122, 132, 176–7, 191, 207, 262–3

  for rhino conservation 211, 212–13, 216

  trustssee international trusts and specific trusts

  Galana 102–3, 104, 106

  Game Department, Kenya 35, 50–1, 69, 73, 78, 120, 121

  game hunting 46–7, 63, 105–6

  2005 efforts of the hunters to close down Mkomazi project 285–7

  author's giving of evidence in USAabout 225–6

  banning of 'sport' hunting 46, 105, 218

  Mkomazi Game Reserve 186–7,190, 213, 214–15, 217–18

  tourism, wildlife conservation and 226

  Gandhi, Indira 152

  Garissa 27, 42–4, 101, 108, 120–1, 146

  education 306

  General Service Unit 101, 121, 175–6

  police 44, 66–7, 101, 107, 121

  Garvin, Tom 211

  General Service Unit, Kenya 101, 121,175–6, 178, 183

  George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust 7, 33, 47, 71, 176, 190, 231–2, 235–6, 251–2, 266, 300–1

  education and outreach 246, 250, 271–4, 294, 295, 299–300, 306

  international trusts see internationaltrusts

  Lucy's work for 243

  and Tanzania's Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism 220–1, 235

  trustees 7, 190, 211, 212, 216, 242, 246, 285–6, 291, 295–6 see also individual trustees

  Gichangi, Steve 202, 217

  Gigi (lioness) 80, 86, 94, 96, 102, 114,122, 131

  Gilfillan, Pete 122

  giraffe 187, 188, 242

  Girl (lioness) 38, 132

  Gizmo (aardwolf) 298

  Glenn, Scott 199

  global positioning system (GPS)technology 277

  Glowe (lioness born to Gigi) 102, 131, 145

  Godana, Hassan 179

/>   Golden Ark for Conservation award 258, 293

  Gortner, Marjoe 196, 198, 207

  Goss, Ted 145–6, 150, 166, 168, 170, 173

  Gross, Anthony 145, 172, 175, 297

  Growe (lion cub of Gigi) 102, 131, 145

  Growlie (lioness) 80, 94, 96, 102, 111,113, 114, 122, 131

  Grzmiek, Bernard 83–4

  GSUsee General Service Unit

  Haile Selassie I 18, 95

  Hall–Martin, Anthony 210, 223, 237

  Hamisi (cook) 29–30, 44, 109, 114, 170

  Harries, Mike 134, 143, 233–4, 288,312–13

  Harris, Richard 254

  Hawaiian Tropic event (1993) 207

  Heather–Hayes, Jim 111

  Hennitty, Nicky 104, 110, 298

  Herd, Alan 142

  Hessel, Jens 157

  Hessel, Tutti 157

  hippo 24, 49, 83, 115

  Hola police 165, 167, 172

  House, Adrian 37–8, 97, 178

  Hughes, Ian 15, 16, 18, 19, 21, 57, 145

  hunting, game see game hunting

  International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) 252, 309

  international trusts 162, 190–1, 196 see also specific trusts

  Isaya (cook) 228, 264

  Isiche, James 252

  Isiolo 127–8

  Islamic extremism 117

  Jackman, Brian 203

  James (rhino) 243, 294

  Jane, girl in Cape Town 13, 20

  Jeanniot, Michel 134, 151

  Jenkins, Mark 38, 253

  Jenkins, Pete 38, 129–30

  Jipe (lioness) 247–8, 255–6, 266, 270, 282–4

  John, first person to shoot at the author 13–14

  Johnson, Lyndon B. 167

  Jojo (lioness) 96, 102, 104, 111, 114, 115,122, 131

  Jonah (rhino) 243, 250, 294

  Jonny Wilkinson (elephant calf) 279, 288–9, 302

  Juma (lioness) 25, 32, 41, 53–4, 61, 62–3, 65–6, 71, 75, 86–7

  Kaaya, Dickson 264, 275, 276

  Kalonzo Musyoka, Stephen see Musyoka, Stephen Kalonzo

  Kampi ya Chui (Camp of the Leopards) 131–2, 135–41, 146–50, 152–6, 170

  dismantling of 166

  Kampi ya Simba (Camp of the Lions) 25–6, 28, 30, 35–6, 48, 71–2, 109–14, 115, 119–22, 153, 173

  after death of Terence Adamson 158–9

  and the murder of George Adamson 178–9

  rebuilding of 269, 293, 301, 311–12

  and surrounding area see Kora

  Kariuki, Jimmy 14

  Katania (female lion cub) 39

  Kaunda (lion) 96, 102, 104, 111, 114,115, 117–19

  Kazi (leopard cub) 153

  Kenya 14–22, 42–4, 81, 115–17, 127, 142–3, 300–1, 304–5