I first met Ben Britton at a charity night I hosted a few months ago to support Autism Spectrum Australia (ASPECT). The evening was based around a game of Pictionary. Reason being - Pictionary focuses on similar social aspects that someone with autism may encounter. Namely, communication difficulties and imaginative thought. We had a number of prizes auctioned off throughout the night, raising about twelve thousand dollars all up.
Ben came to the event as a guest but in one of the breaks, he approached me and generously offered his services to be auctioned as a prize to support the charity.
Ben is the face of Nat Geo Wild in Australia and New Zealand. His series Ben Britton’s Animal Encounters can be seen on the National Geographic Channel 616. He is also the director of Wild Animal Encounters, a company dedicated to promoting the conservation of all animal species by education and creating awareness.
Last week, I took my partner Casey out to see Zambi - a seven month old lion cub Ben cares for along with a number of other animals at his property in Western Sydney. I have to say it was an absolutely amazing experience. Ben had told me prior to coming out not to be shy, that Zambi would sense it and not be so playful. It’s an incredible thing to crouch up to a lion cub and reach your hand out to rub its neck, confident that you'll still have your fingers by the end of it.
That confidence only came from Ben’s prior encouragement. His passion for all animals is evident the moment you see him at work. In a few weeks, Ben is off to Botswana to work with the Northern Tuli Predator Project a program dedicated to big cat conservation in Africa.
If you would like to learn more please visit http://www.wildanimalencounters.com.au
