And then we held a lion cub.

Corruption is Evil.

I'm sure you agree. Most Kenyans do. This sentiment is emblazoned on parking lot attendant's smocks, posted at government buildings, found on much official signage. Even the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) agrees:

I don't think we're too sure about that now. A few weeks ago, Nathan and I went to the Kenya Wildlife Service's Animal Orphanage. I think this is meant to be a recovery center for injured animals and their cubs. After paying the exorbitant entrance fee (around $15 for non-Kenyans, around $2 for Kenyans), we wandered around the grounds. There were a lot of cats- cheetahs, leopards, cervals and other wild kitties and assorted randoms: warthogs, a buffalo, some birds, an ostrich. It was the day Ramadan ended so the park was full of celebrating Muslim families decked out in finery, kids waving new plastic toy guns (which seems a strange post-Ramadan gift).

We were enjoying ourselves, admiring the playful cheetahs and the cheeky ostrich, when a man in a trenchcoat (with the KWS logo) sidled up to us and quietly enquired if we would like to hold a lion cub. Ummm, what kind of question is that?! Of course we would like to hold a lion cub! He informed us it was 1000 ksh, which is about $11. This was maybe our first hint this was not an above-board offer. Oh well. We met him about 30 minutes later by the ostrich pen, and he quickly herded us through the gate, around a few bushes and finally directed us into a small shed. Which contained caged rabbits. (Food for animals?) Trenchcoat man then disappeared.

At this point we are quite confident that this is not a legit lion-cub holding experience, but there we were. In the tiny shed. Awaiting a lion cub.

Several minutes later, two different men appear, one holding A LION CUB. I cannot over-state how stinking adorable he (?) was. The men hand him over (after showing Nathan how to hold his hind paws) and there we are. In a tiny, rabbit-filled shed. Holding a two-month-old lion cub. He smelled liony, his yawn was a little terrifying, and he was heavy and snuggly and beautiful.

We admired, we took a lot of pictures (the men kept urging us to take more), then paid the men, the lion was removed, and we were told to take the same route out. We re-emerged by the ostrich pen a little astounded at our luck and embarrassed at our collusion with the corruption*. But really? We held a lion cub. It was pretty awesome.

Yes, this is an entirely un-food-related post, buuuut.... it's a lion cub. And, in theory, we could be his food, someday, right?

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*Note: Yes. This was wrong of us. We got swept away with excitement and bewilderment. We do not advocate for holding wild animals without the explicit permission of the KWS. The lion cub probably would have been happier without being held.