Iconic Paws In Pop Culture: Christian the Lion

🐾 Profile

Name: Christian the Lion

Species / Breed: African Lion

Era: 1969–1970s / 2008 Internet Revival

Category: Real-World, Wildlife & Internet Legends

🎬 Video Feature

Christian the Lion Meets Old Owners Reunited Watch video →

✨ What Made Them Famous

Christian was a lion purchased as a cub in London by Australians John Rendall and Ace Bourke in 1969. As Christian grew too large for city life, his owners worked with conservationist George Adamson to return him to Africa, where he was gradually introduced to life in the wild. Their emotional reunion with Christian after his release was captured on film and, decades later, became one of the internet's most famous animal videos.

⚡ Fast Facts

• London Lion Christian was purchased from the exotic-animal department of London's Harrods department store when he was still a cub.
• Return To Africa Conservationist George Adamson helped Christian transition from life with humans in Britain to living with lions in Kenya.
• Viral Reunion Footage showing Christian enthusiastically recognizing and embracing his former caretakers became a worldwide internet sensation decades after it was filmed.