Lions and Oscars: two conservationist visionaries

He is the “lion whisperer”: in the endless expanse of the Kalahari desert in Botswana, Valentin Grüner has found his vocation - protecting Africa’s majestic wild animals. And millions of people around the globe follow his fascinating work on social media. Grüner became famous for his unusual relationship with Sirga, a lioness he can often be seen cuddling with great devotion. Sirga had been rejected by her mother at birth and was raised by Grüner. 

A habitat for wildlife 

Grüner originally left Germany more than a decade ago to work in Africa as a tour guide. But he quickly realised that he wanted to do more than guide tourists around the continent’s impressive landscapes. Together with Danish animal welfare activist Mikkel Legarth, Grüner set up the Modisa Wildlife Project. In a reserve covering 170 square kilometres, one of the project’s jobs is to look after orphaned lions and provide them with a safe habitat in which they are protected from poachers.  

Valentin Grüner sees himself not only as a conservationist but also as an ambassador whose role is to foster greater understanding about the complex relationship between humans and animals. His close bond with lions has reaped him attention and admiration worldwide.  

Oscar-winning wildlife documentary 

Bernhard Grzimek is a prime example of Germany’s commitment to nature conservation. A veterinarian, director of Frankfurt Zoo and wildlife filmmaker, he was an influential figure in global species protection efforts in the 1950s – though his importance was not really recognised at the time. In 1960, Grzimek’s documentary “Serengeti Shall Not Die” was the first German film to win an Oscar after the Second World War. The film highlighted the threats to the Serengeti savannah in Tanzania and to this day is considered a milestone. Grzimek’s son Michael died in a plane accident during filming. He had been researching animal migrations in the Serengeti and his father posthumously published his findings - which ultimately led to the Serengeti National Park being extended. Grzimek’s work not only raised awareness among Germans of the importance of natural conservation but also fostered international cooperation on ecosystem protection.