Soul of a Lion

Soul of a Lion chronicles the life and work of Marieta van der Merwe, who established the Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia to rescue and rehabilitate African wildlife. The biography follows her transformation from a cattle rancher's wife to a devoted conservationist caring for hundreds of animals. The book recounts van der Merwe's efforts to provide sanctuary for injured, orphaned, and abused animals, particularly big cats like lions and leopards. Her sanctuary expanded from a small family operation into an internationally recognized wildlife rehabilitation center and conservation site. Bennett documents the daily challenges and triumphs at Harnas, from bottle-feeding baby animals to managing complex relationships between humans and predators. The narrative includes van der Merwe's work with local communities and her innovative programs employing members of the San Bushmen tribe. The biography explores themes of personal reinvention and humanity's responsibility toward wildlife, presenting one woman's mission to bridge the gap between civilization and wilderness in modern Africa.

Readers highlight the personal and inspiring journey of wildlife conservationist Tony Fitzjohn as he worked to protect African wildlife. Many note the engaging storytelling and vivid descriptions of life in the African bush. What readers liked: - Raw, honest portrayal of conservation work - Details about animal behavior and rehabilitation - Connection to George Adamson's legacy - Balance of adventure stories with conservation message What readers disliked: - Some found the pacing uneven - A few wanted more depth about specific conservation projects - Limited coverage of Fitzjohn's personal life outside of work Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (121 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (76 ratings) Sample review quote: "Unlike many conservation books that focus on statistics and policy, this one puts you right there in the dirt and danger of hands-on wildlife work." - Goodreads reviewer "The book captures both the romance and harsh reality of African conservation." - Amazon reviewer

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🦁 Author Barbara Bennett first learned of Marieta van der Merwe and her work with orphaned big cats while watching a National Geographic documentary called "Soul of a Lion" in 2006. 🌍 Harnas Wildlife Foundation, the sanctuary featured in the book, spans over 100 square miles in Namibia and has rescued thousands of animals since its establishment in 1978. 🐆 Marieta van der Merwe and her family gave up their prosperous cattle ranch to create the sanctuary, selling their livestock to fund the care of injured and orphaned wildlife. 💕 Many of the sanctuary's workers are members of the San people (Bushmen), who were given employment and housing at Harnas when they had nowhere else to go. 📚 Bennett spent several months living at Harnas to research the book, experiencing firsthand the daily challenges and triumphs of caring for injured lions, cheetahs, leopards, and other African wildlife.