Raising a lion as a pet, Elsa Manor in Kenya

【Elsa Manor】'Born Free' is a work by the British couple George Adamson and Joy Adamson, which records the story of the couple raising the lion Elsa to adulthood in Kenya, and later releasing her back into the wild to preserve her natural instincts. During the upbringing, Elsa was almost like a pet animal, full of attachment to her owners. After being released into nature, the couple went to find Elsa many times, using flares and thunderflashes at night to attract her back for reunions. Elsa trusted and depended on the couple like a child. More than a year after her release, she would run for two days just to see her former owners again. The writing is delicate, and the dependency between humans and animals is deeply moving. Joy was a famous painter and photographer, commissioned by the Kenyan government to paint portraits of African tribes and to photograph the local wilderness, for which she received the Royal Horticultural Society's gold medal. The publication of 'Born Free - The Legend of Elsa the Wild Lioness' brought her international fame, and led to the founding of the 'Elsa Wild Animal Appeal'. The manor is an hour's drive from Lake Naivasha. The estate has been preserved in its original state, with spacious British-style bungalows that are well-equipped even by today's standards. One room displays versions of 'Born Free' in various languages from around the world, and there are rocking chairs covered with lion skins that the couple used, as well as various portraits of black people painted by the lady of the house. Joy's ceremonial dress from when she was knighted by the Queen of England hangs on the wall. The open courtyard is neatly trimmed, facing the lake, and the scenery is picturesque~