Elsa the lioness facts for kids
Elsa the lioness (born around January 28, 1956 – died January 24, 1961) was a famous female lion. She was raised by game warden George Adamson and his wife Joy Adamson. Elsa and her two sisters, "Big One" and "Lustica," became orphans when they were only a few days old.
While her sisters went to a zoo in the Netherlands, Elsa was special. The Adamsons taught her how to live and hunt on her own. They eventually released her back into the wild.
Elsa's amazing story is shared in several books written by the Adamsons. It also became a popular movie in 1966 called Born Free.
Contents
Elsa's Early Life
Elsa and her sisters became orphans on February 1, 1956. This happened after George Adamson had to kill their mother. She had charged at him to protect her three tiny cubs. George later understood why the lioness had acted so fiercely. George and his wife Joy then adopted the four-day-old cubs.
When Elsa was small, she lived much like a pet. But Joy Adamson, who Elsa trusted most, saw their relationship as equal. Joy was very determined to teach Elsa how to hunt and survive in the wild. She wanted Elsa to be able to live freely.
Joy's hard work paid off. Elsa became famous around the world when her early life story was published. This book was called Born Free.
Elsa's Cubs and Later Life
When Elsa was three years old, she brought her own three cubs to meet the Adamsons. The Adamsons named them "Jespah" (a male), "Gopa" (a male), and "Little Elsa" (a female). The story of Elsa and her cubs is told in the book Living Free.
Sadly, Elsa died too soon from a disease called babesiosis. This is a blood disease carried by ticks, similar to malaria. It often affects the cat family. Elsa's grave is in the Meru National Park.
After Elsa's death, her cubs became much more afraid of humans. This made it hard for the Adamsons to help them. The cubs were eventually captured and released into the Serengeti. Their future was uncertain. George Adamson searched for 19 months and found Little Elsa. She was healthy and living with two other lions. This was the last time the Adamsons saw any of Elsa's cubs.
Books About Elsa
Many books have been written about Elsa and her family. They tell the full story of her life and the Adamsons' adventures.
- Born Free (1960) by Joy Adamson.
- Living Free (1961) by Joy Adamson.
- Forever Free (1962) by Joy Adamson.
- Bwana Game (1968) or A Lifetime With Lions (1970) by George Adamson.
- My Pride and Joy (1986) by George Adamson.
Films About Elsa
Elsa's story has also been shared through movies and documentaries.
- Elsa the Lioness (1961): A BBC documentary by David Attenborough. It shows Joy and George Adamson looking for Elsa and her cubs.
- Born Free (1966): A popular movie starring Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna. George Adamson helped make sure the lion details were correct. This film won an Academy Award.
- Living Free (1972): This movie was based on the third book, Forever Free. It starred Susan Hampshire and Nigel Davenport.
- Elsa and Her Cubs: This rare film shows Elsa and her cubs Jespah, Gopa, and Little Elsa. It includes Joy and George Adamson.
- Elsa's Legacy: The Born Free Story (2010): A documentary celebrating 50 years since Joy Adamson's book Born Free. It has home videos of Elsa and interviews with Virginia McKenna and David Attenborough.
Television Shows About Elsa
Elsa's story has also been adapted for television.
- Born Free (1974): A TV series based on the film. It starred Gary Collins and Diana Muldaur.
- Elsa - The Lioness that Changed the World (2011): A documentary narrated by Richard Armitage.
See also
In Spanish: Elsa la Leona para niños
