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Campaign Against Canned Hunting (CACH)

I can see clearly now

2/2/2015

29 Comments

 
Picture
Check out this interesting report and images of the lion cub's eye operation.





  With apologies to Johnny Cash.
I can see clearly now the pain has gone
I can see all obstacles in my way
Gone are those cataracts
That had me blind
It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun shiny day.


Hi Everyone,
You can sigh a breath of relief. George is alive and doing well back with his brother Yame. 


Well its been a long day over here. George has certainly travelled a lot for such a young lion. We loaded him into the back of my vehicle as we felt George wouldn't do well in a crate. We stuck Jade in there too for comfort. 


With film crew in tow we set off for Ondestepoort, some 60 odd km away. Initially he was stressed but settled down quickly with Jades words of comfort. 



Once at OP we met with Dr Tordiffe, the anaethetist who sedated George. Being a tough little fella he needed more drugs than expected. After he went down, he was whisked off to have his retinal function test done. (First Pic). His function proved good. Then it was the eye ultrasound and Samantha Lampbrecht from Energy X-Ray Trading Company (Pty)Ltd was nice enough to bring her portable unit along for us to use. Thanks Samantha! 

It was here that Dr Venter noticed that George had a very small lens in the right eye. The left seemed normal and what he would've expected. Its not really understood as to why there would be such a difference, but its unusual. 

Then while George was being intubated for surgery, the rest of us got changed into attire suitable for surgery. We all met up prior to moving into theatre to discuss the plan. 

The surgery went off without a glitch. I found it most fascinating and interesting and learnt a stack about the eye. It was truly incredible to watch such a skilled surgeon at work. Dr Venter made it look really easy, however I'm pretty sure that we were witnessing decades of dedication and passion in action. Having completely removed the cataracts and having stitched up the tiny incision made in the cornea, Dr Venters job was complete. It was now time to get George out of theatre, into the vehicle and back home. 

Dr Tordiffe reversed the one drug and then we all waited to make sure he was coming around. We wanted him slightly sedated for the trip home but obviously not too deep. Driving home was stressful as once he started to wake he wanted to get up but couldn't and therefore thrashed around abit. Poor ol Jade was on the receiving end of a now 40 something plus lion cub wanting out. She performed her lion whispering and George calmed down. The trip back seemed to take forever but was uneventful. 

Once back at the sanctuary although I initially thought of putting George back on his own, I decided that it was more prudent to put him back with Yame. Isolating him would've stressed him out more and probably caused damage to the eyes that needed to be rested. Yame was really happy to see his mate and it was probably the longest the two have been apart since they were tiny. They settled quickly and George went to have a drink of water. 

All in all it was a good day, but especially so for George whose life is about to change for the better again. Thanks to everyone for all their thoughts and prayers. We felt them today and so did George. A huge thanks as well to all those who have been involved in making this surgery possible. We are truly grateful. If I've left anyone out I'm sorry. Its been a long day. 

Same goes for typos! 
Over and out 
Kevin

We would like to thank Ange Lemon and her team at Painted Dog Conservation, Australia, for once again raising the finance to give George his sight back. 
29 Comments
Chris Voets
2/2/2015 03:57:36 pm

Thank you Kevin for the update - felt like I was there with you all! Poor Jade, she'll need a good rest after all that!! George will have had a lot to tell his brother....... glad all is well!

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marc
2/2/2015 04:02:49 pm

I am so happy George is able to see properly !!! Thank you all for helping him :-)

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Sue Stuart
2/2/2015 04:17:34 pm

Thank you for the update Kevin. So glad it all went well. Thank you everyone involved.

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Karen Pepler
2/2/2015 04:52:12 pm

Fantastic news!! Thanks to everyone who helped in any way - even with positive vibes!

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Dee Roelofsz
2/2/2015 05:00:05 pm

What fantastic news, one more wonderful success story to add to the cubs amazing journey to a better life. Hats off yet again to all involved & in particular Ange & her foundation for the funding to make this possible. You guys are an awesome bunch of people - blessings!

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Myriam
2/2/2015 05:00:54 pm

Thanks everybody, you are Great!

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GillIan
2/2/2015 05:05:12 pm

What a wonderful outcome for George, I hope his recovery is swift and that he is doing lion things with Yame in no time.

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Becca Bryan
2/2/2015 05:27:45 pm

Cheers to everyone for this successful endeavor! Kudos to Jade for being such a wonderful Auntie to the little rascal. Cheers to Kevin for being in the operating room and watching it all. Love and gratitude for the PDC and Ange Lemon and everyone for taking such excellent care of our rowdy boy. And he does not have a plastic cone on his head!

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Glynis Higgins
2/2/2015 05:33:15 pm

This is such good news, thank you for sharing, Kevin. How wonderful that these heartwarming stories can punctuate all the heartbreaking ones. Well Done to all involved. Bless You

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Athans Steffen link
2/2/2015 06:16:23 pm

I am so happy for the cubs, so so happy. They are growing and look wonderful. Love them so much! Good on your Kevin and your team and to Angela at PDC.

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Susan Berkel
2/2/2015 06:21:34 pm

Wonderful work! Glad she seeing better now! Good job everyone!

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Desiree Laverne
2/2/2015 07:06:47 pm

That is fantastic news.. I'm sure Johnny Cash wouldn't mind you using his lyrics at all.. Finally George can see his African home and brother.. A new adventure awaits him... Thank you Kevin and all for sharing this incredible journey with us.. Love and blessings to all involved... Jade can take the rest of the week off!!...

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Nathalie ten Cate link
2/2/2015 07:29:44 pm

very great news Kevin, thnx for the great update!! am so happy still things like this could be financed...happy George & Yame...George cannot have a better life than at your lovely sanctuary and you great love & devotion to these precious ones!! hope George will become an old happy healthy king as all others! cheers Kevin!! ps your sketch with Yame is waiting to be sent, just say when :)))

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Louise Bennett
2/2/2015 08:13:13 pm

Fantastic news Kevin and I'm sure Johnny Cash is delighted! Thank you for sharing your journey with us, very special.

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Samira
2/2/2015 09:18:28 pm

What wonderful news this is! Thanks to all involved!

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Paula
2/2/2015 09:45:24 pm

So happy for the lions that expert care is available for them. Outstanding work,

Just one thing, with all due respect, must give credit for the song writing to Johnny Nash. :)

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Tori Hall
2/2/2015 09:45:41 pm

so glad to hear he's doing so well. But Johnny Nash wrote the song, not Johnny Cash.

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Chris Mercer
2/3/2015 09:59:53 pm

Oops hope Johnny Nash will forgive my musical ignorance. :-)

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leone
2/4/2015 07:32:32 pm

I'm glad you picked that up too Tori 😀 I kept singing it in my head and thinking no, not Cash ......

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Loretta Franklin link
2/2/2015 09:55:05 pm

What a wonderful success story. Big smiles and hugs to all, especially George and all involved in his surgery.

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John
2/2/2015 10:07:12 pm

Wonderful to see the little guy feeling better. And BTW, it's Johnny Nash, not the country dude who wrote that.

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sneha
2/3/2015 01:36:02 am

U r a boon for these lucky lions, kevin. You show us what humanity truly is. Love wat u r doing!

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buzz link
2/3/2015 02:49:01 am

fantastic, amazing efforts , of all involved.
thank u so much. now the 2 brothers
can really enjoy kevins' heaven .
well done everybody.
keep up the great work of love.

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barb colvin
2/3/2015 03:35:39 am

You guys are amazing. The lion whisperer Kevin Richardson would give you praise for what you do.

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Valerie Rawlinson
2/3/2015 07:10:38 am

Superb news! What a wonderful group of people you all are.

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Peggy
2/3/2015 10:20:44 am

Kevin, thanks for taking us along on your day. Glad to read it all went well. Your description and words are a joy to read

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Gail
2/3/2015 12:04:22 pm

Great news! Thanks to all.

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anry
2/10/2015 04:49:00 pm

God bless you Kevin and Team, and all lioness
hope you are doing fine there :)

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Natalie @ Ozzi Cat Magazine link
2/15/2015 11:03:28 pm

Thank you for helping the little one! xox

Reply



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