News

It is with great sadness that we heard this morning that our LionAid Patron John Rendall died at his home over the weekend.

John was probably best known for his 1969 purchase of Christian the lion from Harrods, and then documenting Christian’s early days in Chelsea before placing the lion under the care of George Adamson in Kenya to be eventually released into the wild. But John also needs to be remembered for his support of the George Adamson Wildlife Protection Trust that enabled the resurrection of Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania, and of course for serving as a wonderful Patron of LionAid. He will be so sadly missed by the entire LionAid team.

John was a dedicated conservationist with an enduring love of African wild areas and wildlife. He had an indomitable spirit, always enthusiastic and constantly supportive. In whatever spare time he had he was also a dedicated supporter of the performing arts and revived and revitalized the Chelsea Theatre.

We send huge condolences to his family and many friends. John was a multidimensional person so rare these days, and we will miss him always. We hope that with his inspiration and courage in so many fields that he will have motivated all those around him with his empathy, love of life, and his wish to make the world a better place.

Our thoughts too, today, are with Derek Cattani, the official photographer of Christian the Lion.  Derek and John worked together tirelessly, campaigning for effective lion conservation and for sharing the joy of life with Christian, and we are very proud to have Derek as one of our Trustees.

Derek today has penned this lovely tribute to John:

Such a great loss not only to his family and friends but also to LionAid as Patron and all the amazing work he did In keeping conservation in Africa a top priority and a great campaigner through the numerous charity lectures John and I did around the UK.

I have known John for more than 50 years, in that time and as the official photographer of Christian the Lion we have produced some 6 books on his life growing up in London and then going back to Africa to be reintroduced into the wilds of Kenya helped by the great conservationist George Adamson. Our last book was `Christian the Lion `The Illustrated Legacy` published by Bradt.

I will continue to do Charity lecture talks and show my many images, John`s conservation work will live on through the wonderful work of LionAid a charity he was so passionate about.

John you will be greatly missed.

Derek Cattani

LionAid Trustee.

RIP John Rendall, proud Australian and a good man. 1946-2022.

Now reunited with Christian.