WASHINGTON – A man who has studied lions in their natural habitats has released a video making the 400-pound animals look more like loving house cats.

Kevin Richardson, a South African zoologist, has conducted extensive research on the native animals of the African plains. He released a video where he approaches lions in the South African Savanna only to have them greet him with hugs.

Watch the video below:

Richardson, also known as “The Lion Whisperer,” studied the animals in an effort to draw awareness to the problems facing the wild life in Africa, he says in the video.

Richardson used GoPro cameras to capture his up-close relationship with the animals, which includes petting them, laying with them and hugging them.

To read more about Richardson’s mission, visit his website.

h/t: Earth Porm

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