John Rendall sadly died on 20/1/2022 from complications from COVID-19. Unfortunately, Tony Fitzjohn, George Adamson’s assistant at Kora and friend to Christian, also passed away. Tony founded and ran the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust. Heart felt sympathies to his family and many friends.

Inspired by his experience with Christian, he worked tirelessly on behalf of animals and was particularly concerned about the future of wild lion populations.

Major news publications respectfully farewell John Rendall

• Evening Standard
  John Rendall: Socialite who bought lion from Harrods and walked it around London dies aged 76
• Daily Mail
  Farewell to the Lion Man of Chelsea: Socialite who bought big cat in Harrods in the 1960s and famously walked it around West London before setting it free in Kenya and being reunited a year later dies aged 76
• Newsweek
  The Story of Christian the Lion As Owner John Rendall, Who Walked Him Around London, Dies
• Sydney Morning Herald
  Adventurer bought ‘Christian’ the lion cub at Harrods