We’re pleased to present a comprehensive 30-minute interview with Dr. Paul Booyens, author of Released: Captive-Bred to Truly Wild.

Dr. Booyens’s book explores the journey of captive-bred lions in South Africa as they reintegrate into the wild. Beyond empirical data, ‘Released’ offers nuanced observations about wildlife reintroduction and the inherent resilience and adaptability of lions.

The book also contains a vast collection of photographs, making it a both beautiful and informative coffee table book. 

Interview Content 

During the interview, Dr. Booyens elucidates the motivations behind his PhD, detailing his thoughts on the pressing concerns about captive-bred lions and the conservation industry in general that guided his research. Dr. Booyens provides perspective on the broader implications of his findings, discussing various political stances on captive-bred lions and broader controversial conservation issues in South Africa.