Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

David Attenborough recalls filming an exclusive interview with the Adamsons and their famous lioness, Elsa. From 2011.

David Attenborough recalls how, whilst en route to Madagascar, his BBC bosses asked him to break his journey in Kenya to visit the Adamsons.

Joy and George Adamson were famous for hand rearing a Lioness whom they named Elsa. She was the central character in the book written by the couple "Born Free".

Sir David cleverly takes us from the romanticism of Born Free and being close to habituated lions, to the harsh reality of befriending a big cat.

Producer: Julian Hector

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2011.

10 minutes

Last on

Mon 22 Sep 202501:45
BBC Radio 4 Extra

More episodes

Previous

FirefliesSeries 2

See all episodes from David Attenborough's Life Stories

Broadcasts

  • Fri 1 Jul 201120:50
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 3 Jul 201108:50
    BBC Radio 4
  • Sun 4 Sep 201611:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 12 May 201808:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sat 12 May 201815:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 13 May 201803:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 22 Dec 201911:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 22 Dec 201919:50
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Apr 202111:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Apr 202121:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Sep 202211:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Thu 15 Sep 202221:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 19 Sep 202209:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 26 Nov 202310:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 26 Nov 202315:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 26 Nov 202321:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 27 Nov 202304:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 20 Oct 202406:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 20 Oct 202411:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 20 Oct 202417:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 21 Oct 202401:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 21 Sep 202506:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 21 Sep 202511:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Sun 21 Sep 202517:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra
  • Mon 22 Sep 202501:45
    BBC Radio 4 Extra