MBOMBELA – Have you ever wondered what lions would tell humans if the two species could communicate with one another, especially after the illegal hunting of one of Africa’s most famous lions, Cecil from Zimbabwe?
Thanks to Amelia Kinkade, a world-famous animal psychologist, we might find out sooner than we think.
The American author of six books was recently approached by the Ajubatus Foundation to accompany them in the northern part of the Kruger National Park (KNP) for two weeks.
Scientists from the foundation will conduct a monitoring programme on lions around Punda Maria.
Kinkade has been invited along to “translate” the animals’ thoughts.
“My job is to call the lions and to approach them compassionately to hear what it is that they want,” she told Lowvelder at an event held by Ford Nelspruit last Saturday.
We are so focused on what we want that we forget to ask them about their needs. That way, it is just easier to work with them.
If the tracking collar is uncomfortable or the tranquilliser has a few nasty side effects which are undetectable by humans, the animals will ‘say’ so.
“They obviously don’t speak our language, but it is easy to sense what they want if one just becomes quiet enough to tune in to their emotions. They are not that different from us.
“They also have emotional and physical needs similar to ours. We just have to listen to them.”
Kinkade has published six books on animal psychology and how humans can “communicate” with animals, including From the Horse’s Mouth and The Language of Magic.
She has more than five million fans across the globe and has been flown to various places on earth to work with animals.
“I have been doing this for 25 years and I have to admit that I am not met with scepticism at all lately. It is surprising how open people have become when it comes to animal communication, especially when it comes to their own animals.
“People already think they can talk to, or at least understand their animals. I just show them how to really listen to their needs, in the same way we try to listen to babies to understand their needs. We need to learn to trust our instinct again.”
Ford Nelspruit has donated a Ford Ranger to transport Kinkade and the Ajubatus Foundation crew in the KNP. They have shown their full support to the cause.
Upon their return from the KNP, Kinkade will accompany the Ajubatus Foundation to schools in Bushbuckridge to present a lecture.
“It’s important to educate children about the importance of a relationship with animals so they don’t grow up to be poachers or abusers,” said John Dyer of the Ajubatus Foundation.
For more information about Amelia Kinkade, visit www.ameliakinkade.com.
