This is an original article written and edited by Anoop Prathapan and first published on the 10th of August 2022.
August 10 is observed every year since 2013 as "World Lion Day". It is a day that is founded by the “Big Cat Rescue” the world’s largest accredited sanctuary dedicated to protecting Big Cats. World Lion Day is the brainchild of co-founders Derek and Beverly Joubert, a couple who loved lions and all the big cats. The day aims to spread awareness of lions and the urgent need to strive toward their conservation. I have figured out from various internet resources that August 10 is a day for people to come over from various parts of the world to pay tribute to the mighty Lion in “as many ways as you can”.
Today the magnificent Lions are so less in number that they are likely to be soon listed as endangered. Lions are currently found only in the Gir forests in India and in some parts of Africa. An essay today in Malayala Manorama states that there are merely 20,000 lions left all over the world. An article on World Lion Day in Zee Business states that lions have disappeared from over 90% of their historical range.
The Lion, Panthera Leo, is the second grandest cat in the world (the first being the Asian Tiger) but is rightly addressed as the King of the Jungle due to its might and inspiring awe. The Lion is a hunter, and its family is called “The Pride” which has around 15 members including cubs. The average lifespan of the Lion is 15 years and weighs roughly 190-225 Kg in good health. Lions can eat up to 40Kg of meat in one go - almost 30% of their average body weight. Interestingly, lions are the only known cat species where individuals roar together - with even young cubs joining in with their mews. The calling sequence usually lasts about 40 seconds. The pride roars together to mark their territory - a roar can be heard from 8km away.
World Lion Day 2022 Quotes
"A lion sleeps in the heart of every brave man." - Turkish Proverb
"It is better to go in the dark when the road must pass a lion and there is no other road." - Robert E. Howard
"An injured lion still wants to roar." - Randy Pausch
"The lion does not need the whole world to fear him, only those nearest where he roams." - A. J. Darkholme
"Love has the face of a goddess, but the talons of a lion." - Ivan Panin
“Courage is poorly housed that dwells in numbers; the lion never counts the herd that are about him, nor weighs how many flocks he has to scatter.” - Aaron Hill
“The truth is like a lion. You don’t have to defend it. It will defend itself.” - St. Augustine
“It is no accident that the photographer becomes a photographer any more than the lion tamer becomes a lion tamer.” - Dorothea Lange
“The lion is an emblem of the dream of absolute power -- and, as a wild rather than a domestic animal, he belongs to a world outside the realm of society and culture.” - Charles H. Hinnant
“The lion is, however, rarely heard - much more seldom seen.” - John Hanning Speke.
“The difference between a brave man and a coward is a coward thinks twice before jumping in the cage with a lion. The brave man doesn’t know what a lion is. He just thinks he does.” - Charles Bukowski
“The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. And the moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, the roar of freedom.” - Osho.
“Truth does not sit in a cave and hide like a lie. It wanders around proudly and roars loudly like a lion.” - Suzy Kassem
“Familiarity makes the lion more dangerous.” - Jocelyn Murray.
“Whatever you do; do it like a lion, wholeheartedly.” - Harsh Tiwari
The Sun Sign - Leo
“Leo” is the sun sign for those born between July 22- August 23. It is a fixed fire sign, ruled by the Sun. Leos are characteristically gallant and bold. Leos are natural leaders of the Zodiac as the Lion is, and they are vehemently proud and confident. Leos are remarkably loving, campy, and prolific. Just like the Lion, Leos love to be in charge. They are rarely good when submissive or in a second position. Leos are the most trustworthy people and the most generous human beings around. The list goes on and on.
However, prototype Leos are becoming lesser in number on earth (endangered, in a way) when the global culture turns more to being unreasonably diplomatic to retain everything and anything, positive.
and so yes – getting back to where I started - August 10 – is “World Lion Day” and I am proud to state that I am an undiplomatic prototype Leo and more proud that my birthday falls exactly on World Lion Day.
Anoop Prathapan
09400643477
anoop.prathapan@gmail.com
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