Lion Heart is the bold and uplifting memoir by Cam Whitnall, detailing a life defined by extraordinary bonds with wildlife and culminating in a dramatic warzone rescue that brought five lions to safety in the UK. Discover the story of a man whose dedication to animal welfare led him to give endangered big cats a second chance.

Whitnall shares how growing up on the grounds of a dilapidated zoo, later known as Hertfordshire Zoo, shaped his destiny. Living alongside endangered species, including hand-rearing a lion cub named Zara, ignited a lifelong fascination with big cats. This fascination drove him to take the helm as director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, leading to global headlines for a high-risk mission.

• Uplifting memoir detailing a life dedicated to animal welfare and conservation.
• Chronicles the high-risk rescue mission of five abandoned lions from war-torn Ukraine.
• Features personal insights into the bonds formed with wildlife, including hand-rearing a lion cub.
• Covers the transformation of a family business into a sanctuary providing freedom for rescued animals.

The narrative focuses on the rescue of Rori, Yuna, Vanda, Amani, and Lira, who were found malnourished and shellshocked, likely victims of illegal breeding. After ten months of dedicated effort, Whitnall united them at the sanctuary, allowing them to walk on grass for the first time.

• Author: Cam Whitnall
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publication Date: May 21, 2026
• ISBN-10: 1529979501
• ISBN-13: 978-1529979503
• Dimensions: 164 x 31 x 244mm
• Weight: 526g

This biography offers a moving account of dedication, survival, and the profound stories written across the faces of lions.