Predators
Lions are widely known as the kings of the jungle. There is a good reason for lions holding this reputation. These animals are apex predators. They roam around the safari without anything to worry about, while the rest of the animals fear their presence.
Predators
Dangerous Creatures
The people who go on safaris receive a mandatory warning about these predators. The safari rangers advise being aware of lionesses and lions. It’s very dangerous to experience a close encounter with these creatures. Not many people can come close to a fully-grown lion and tell the tale.
Dangerous Creatures
Meet Kiara
One of the lion cubs that was trained by Adolfo was a cub named Kiara. He rescued Kiara after finding her in Mexico. After seeing her, he decided to bring her to a shelter and raise her. He trained her about what she would need to know to survive.
Meet Kiara
Kiara’s Story
Kiara’s name was given to her by Adolfo in honor of the character in The Lion King. He brought her to a wild animal reserve, where he helped raise her. Adolfo considered himself to be Kiara’s adoptive father, and the two formed an undeniable bond.
Kiara’s Story
What Does Kiara Mean?
The Lion King’s character inspired Kiara’s name. However, the word ‘Kiara’ has a variety of meanings in different languages. The Hindi translation means ‘God’s precious gift,’ while it means ‘bright’ in Italian. All of these meaning summed up exactly what this baby cub meant to him.
What Does Kiara Mean
Growing Older
As Kiara progressed from cub to adult, she began growing and eventually couldn’t fit in the facilities offered at the wild animal sanctuary. Adolfo then made the heartbreaking decision to move Kiara to a sanctuary with bigger and better facilities.
Growing Older
The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation
The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation was the sanctuary that Kiara was placed at to accommodate her growing size. The establishment was founded by Eduardo Serio in 2013 after he rescued Cielo, a jaguar cub. This cub was being displayed in a pet shop before being rescued.
The Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation
The Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation’s Goal
The objective of the Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation has always been to rescue as many wild cats as possible while providing these cats with the best possible life. The presence of this sanctuary also helps prevent illegal hunting of these animals from occurring.
The Black Jaguar White Tiger Foundation’s Goal
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
Adolfo documented his final cuddle with Kiara. The moment was incredibly heartbreaking to endure, not just for Adolfo but for Kiara too. Their bond was so strong, and they saw each other every single day. This was all going to change overnight.
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
The Passage of Time
Time didn’t stop when Adolfo left, and as time continued, so did Kiara’s growth. She became bigger and fiercer. Many believed that she would forget about Adolfo, and the two would soon be strangers. This couldn’t have been further from the truth.
The Passage Of Time
A Dangerous Beast
One year had passed since Adolfo and Kiara had seen each other. During this year, she had become a terrifying predator that no-one had the courage to come close to. Like any other lioness, close proximity with Kiara was dangerous for anyone.
A Dangerous Beast
Waiting
After one year apart, Adolfo decided to pay Kiara a visit to see if she would still remember him. Many people believed that the lioness was going to forget about him, but Adolfo had faith that their bond would prevail. Was he right?
Waiting
A Familiar Voice
The facility that Kiara was placed in caused her to hear Adolfo before seeing him. She definitely hadn’t forgotten his voice because as soon as she heard him, she got excited. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing and kept looking to the door.
A Familiar Voice
Walking Through the Door
Kiara started getting restless and looking to the door, waiting for Adolfo to walk through. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her excitement alarmed staff, who advised Adolfo not to get in the cage with her. Do you think Adolfo listened?
Walking Through The Door
Is It Dangerous?
Kiara placed herself next to the entrance to try to get a glimpse of Adolfo. Anticipation was building in the cage while she waited. Meanwhile, the trainers were advising Adolfo not to enter the cage. They believed that he would be putting himself in extreme danger.
Is It Dangerous?
A Frightening Growl
As time passed on, Kiara began growling fiercely. She did this out of excitement, but the sheer volume of these growls feared the other predators in the surrounding area. This caused the trainers to become even more fearful, as they didn’t know what to expect.
A Frightening Growl
Second Guessing
Adolfo started having second thoughts about entering the cage, and these fears grew as he was preparing to open the cage door. He feared that Kiara might not remember him and attack once the cage door opened. Predators can act unexpectedly, and Kiara growling and pacing was a scary sight.
Second Guessing
What’s Going to Happen?
Adolfo hoped that Kiara remembered him, not just his voice. Everything people had said to him was playing in his mind, and he was beginning to question the bond that he and Kiara shared. Was finding out if she remembered him worth the risk of his life?
What’s Going To Happen?
Opening the Door
In the end, Adolfo’s love for Kiara got the best of him, and he abandoned his reasoning and opened the door. His bond with Kiara was more substantial than his common sense, even after the trainers cautioning him that this was a bad idea.
Opening The Door
A Beautiful Moment
As soon as Kiara saw Adolfo, she jumped on top of him and gave him a big cuddle. She was so overcome with excitement that she tackled him to the ground. The photos display a different scenario that’s out of context. Looking at the pictures, you would think he was getting attacked, but Adolfo was more than fine!
A Beautiful Moment
Their Bond Was Stronger
There wasn’t any hesitation in Kiara’s actions. She lunged into Adolfo’s arms as soon as she saw him. She recognized him even before seeing him. She remembered his voice. Their bond was still very much present and incredibly strong. This encounter proved it.
Their Bond Was Stronger
Down To the Ground
The lioness’s embrace was robust as she placed all of her weight on Adolfo. This immense pressure was too much for him to handle, and he fell to the ground. This didn’t stop Kiara, as she didn’t let go of her ‘dad.’
Down To The Ground
A Frightening Photo
Looking at this photograph without any content could lead you to believe this is a dangerous encounter. The lioness was just overcome with excitement. She was unable to contain this excitement. This led to her jumping all over Adolfo. However, there are even more photos that are crazier.
A Frightening Photo
Can’t Get Enough
One thing that was clear during this encounter is that Kiara wasn’t letting go any time soon. She was making up for the lost year and was enjoying having a cuddle from the person that raised her since young. Everyone admired how adorable the predator looked.
Can’t Get Enough
This Doesn’t Happen Every Day
It’s not every day that a man can roll around and play with a grown lioness. It just goes to show how strong their bond is between the predator and the trainer. No-one expected this outcome to occur when Adolfo stepped into the enclosure.
This Doesn’t Happen Every Day
Lasting a Lifetime
Kiara’s endless affection is something Adolfo is going to have to learn to live with every time he comes to visit Kiara. We don’t think he’s complaining. The encounter that these two shared after a year of being apart goes to show that this bond is going to last a lifetime.
Lasting A Lifetime
A Playful Nature
There is something so fascinating about seeing a large, dangerous predator acting like a little, playful kitten. It seemed like time had gone back, and Adolfo and Kiara were back to how they were when she was a cub. Witnessing this take place was astonishing.
A Playful Nature
Jumping for Joy
Kiara was bursting with excitement and began jumping all around Adolfo. Adolfo didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he looks to be pretty pleased with her reaction. One thing for sure is that he never in a million years pictured getting the response that he got.
Jumping For Joy
Smiles All-Around
Looking at the massive smile plastered across Adolfo’s face tells you everything you need to know. Kiara wasn’t the only one that was over the moon. Adolfo was just as happy to be back in the company of his furry best friend.
Smiles All Around
Not So Different
After approximately 30 minutes of this playful behavior, Kiara finally began to calm down. Kiara’s interaction was utterly familiar with Adolfo, and it was like the two had never been apart. She took her rightful place beside him while he stroked her fur like a house cat.
Not So Different
A Super Rare Story
This is one of the most extraordinary stories that we have come across in a very long time. What do you think? Adolfo and Kiara’s story is one that isn’t very common in the world, and being apart for a year proved how strong their connection really was.
A Super Rare Story
Kiara and Adolfo
After this encounter, trainers at the center were blown away by the dangerous animal’s loyalty and love for Adolfo even after so much time apart. Lions are known to form a pact with their pride. Kiara didn’t have a pride of lions to create a pact with. She found this pact with Adolfo, which led to something so unfathomable.
Kiara And Adolfo
Where Are They Now?
The story of Kiara and Adolfo continues, and Adolfo makes a conscious attempt of letting people know that. He is constantly updating fans on his social media platforms by posting videos and photos of him and Kiara together. He also frequently uses the term “my daughter” when describing Kiara in captions.
Where Are They Now
Spreading Awareness
The bond between the two is undeniable. The video of them reuniting proves that, and has gone viral. The video has circulated the world, which has helped raise awareness around wildlife sanctuaries and these furry animals. This is something may people wish to generate.
Spreading Awareness
The Threat of Extinction
The incredibly heartwarming moment that Adolfo shared over the internet has caused waves across the world. This has helped raise awareness on the dangers of extinction amongst these lions and the importance of conservation foundations. Due to this, support has grown for these animals and organizations.
The Threat Of Extinction
Adolfo and His Furry Friends
Adolfo continues to visit the sanctuary to spend time with Kiara. He also likes to hang around the other lions that he once helped hand rear. The experience that Adolfo gets to have with these dangerous predators is something entirely out of the ordinary.
Adolfo And His Furry Friends
The Lion Whisperer in South Africa
Although rare, Adolfo isn’t the only lion whisperer in the world. There is a man in South Africa that gets a job entailing him to cuddle the lions in the sanctuary. This man’s name is Kevin Richardson. He is famous for these videos of running towards lions and lionesses and hugging them.
The Lion Whisperer In South Africa
Richardson’s Goal
Kevin Richardson has an objective to change the way the world perceives lions. He wishes to improve these predators’ reputation through feature films and documentaries. He hopes to portray the connection he has with these animals and prove that humans can bond with wild animals.
Richardson’s Goal