Last of the Free

After the death of George Adamson at the hands of poachers, Gareth Patterson adopted his three orphaned cubs in Kenya and moved the lions to the safety of the Tuli bushlands in southern Botswana. Here, he and his girlfriend Julie set about returning the lions to the wild state as Adamson had wished, divorcing them from the only family they knew – mankind.

Gareth’s life with the lions is movingly told: everyday encounters with ferocious opponents such as a leopard or, more worryingly, a bull elephant are lessons for the young lions as he seeks to educate them in the skills they’ll need for coping in the wild. Some meetings, such as the pride male Batian’s with a baby porcupine are humorous; others, with a rival male lion, nearly tragic.

Last of the Free is an evocative, vivid and intimate depiction of these lions’ daily life. It is also a heartfelt plea, drawing attention to the wanton and savage destruction of one of the world’s most beautiful creatures.

Gareth Patterson was presented with the Nick Steele Memorial Award for the Environmentalist of the Year at the SAB Environmental Media awards 2016.

Praise for Last of the Free:

'An extraordinary tale of endurance, triumph, and tragedy...an impassioned cry from the heart on behalf of all of Africa's lions.' The Times

'A story about hardship, dedication, and demanding work...a message that deserves wide readership.' Library Journal

'Heartwarming!' Booklist

'A rough-hewn, campfireside tale...Through it all emerges a character deeply in love with his charges, someone whose passion may well ensure that they are not the last of the free great predators.' Kirkus


Find out more about Gareth Patterson at his website: www.garethpatterson.com