Simon Groom meets Tippi Hedren's big cats

Blue Peter 1980s (I think about 1982). Simon Groom goes to California to meet Tippi Hedren on her big cat reserve. Best Blue Peter film of the 80s.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Blue
• Peter
• Simon
• Groom
• Tippi
• Hedren
• 1980
• big
• cats
• lion
• tiger
• tigon
• leopard
• classic

[JackCArnold]

As to her motives, I'd rather see these animals on her land with freedom to roam, than in a cage or a circus or a zoo. Of course it'd be better if they were just left to themselves in the wild, but as time goes on, their survival in the wild is looking increasingly tenuous.

[JackCArnold]

I think that's a fair point, themospito, though I would point out that it was made in 1985. From my own point of view, seeing this at the age of 10, I was thrilled by it, but mostly frightened. It never made me want to own one of these animals, and indeed, most of the human interaction looks pretty dicy. It wasn't lost on me at that age how terrified Simon Groom is. I don't think a package like this would be made for children's TV these days.

[KaptKan1]

They are cats, and if you have a "house" cat as a pet, imagine if he were exactly the same, only about 350 pounds heavy... Think of all the times he gave you a swat or nipped you or whatever. No cat is ever domesticated, only shrunk in size. That's why it's a dicey thing to get too familiar with them. That said, Tippi has given them so much love that they are probably less likely to (deliberately) harm her and her staff than a tabby cat. I love big cats, but wouldn't do what SImon did.

[johndelrio]

Tippi is a hypocrite. She claims that nobody should have the right to keep exotic large cats (with proper permits and facilities) even though she has/had 113 of them. Pure hypocrite!!!

[theemosquito]

This video gives the public the wrong idea about these animals. They were very lucky that there were no injuries during the filming of this video. More worrisome is that Tippi admits she is a breeder of big cats, she might even be a big cat hoarder. The problem is people see videos like this and think they can have a lion, tiger, leopard, etc. and it will be safe. It also fuels the "cub encounter" industry which people pay to play with big cat cubs, in reality the cubs lead horrible lives.

[69zenos]

suicide mission!! sooner or later they will attack!!!

natural slection???

[PanthersPrey]

gawd I'm sooo jealous! How lucky to have such an amazing experience! I'd be so frightened yet awestruck to be in such proximity to these beautiful, powerful creatures! Tippi rules and has my complete respect for all of her efforts to get legislation passed to ban the breeding of these wild animals for sale as pets or for "canned hunts". Animals are more humane than most humans!

[GrandPrix55]

They're not domesticated. Wild and not to be trusted.

They can turn on a penny.

[barbi1sky]

Your cheeta is beautiful!

[hoffmann9471]

OMG that´s one of the best videos about the living with big cats I have ever seen. And I´m a hobby zoologist. Compliment that you found this film gem ! Directly in my faves !

The animals know their strongness but they do not use it in any unfriendly way.

Animlas are the "better humans" ...haha

BTW I´m a BIG Tippi Hedren fan since the 60s.

She is great

Thank you for this great vid