1.
CU Arusha on leash
0.10

2.
SV Cheryl Shawver patting Arusha.
0.16

3.
CU Electric buzzer being sounded.
0.18

4.
GV Alexander Aron in foreground with buzzer and Arusha running to him to get meat.
0.26

5.
GV Arusha running towards Cheryl into leash and is given reward.
0.34

6.
CU Cheryl playing with Arusha on her back. (2 shots)
0.51

7.
GV Cheryl and Alexander teaching lion to attack a sack (2 shots).
1.14

8.
CU Porcupines in cage.
1.23

9.
SV Alexander carrying lion cub and joining Cheryl with another cub - cubs cuff each other.
1.38



Initials AE/20.00 AE/20.22



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Elsa, the famous Kenyan lioness that charmed children all over the world when she appeared in the future film 'Born Free' is to live again in a new television series which is being filmed near Lake Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. Elsa died of Leukemia some years ago and her place is to be taken by another take lioness, Arusha.

The new star has been carefully groomed and rehearsed for the part by her two trainers, American Cheryl Shawver from California and Alexander Aron, from Moshi in Tanzania.

Arusha herself is American born but she has already visited Africa once before to play the part of Elsa in "Living Free" which followed "Born Free". The two films were adoptions of books written by Joy Adamson, the game-wardens' wife who befriended the young Elsa.

A second lioness, has also been trained as Arusha's "assistant". Each day the two big cats romp with their trainers to get their daily exercise during breaks in the filming, and to make sure they don't forget any of their training.

Both have ben taught to come when a buzzer is activated and each time they respond, there is a reward of food.

Several porcupines who also have roles in the television series are kept in the lions compound, but safely behind wire.

SYNOPSIS: Arusha, the lioness, is being cossetted and groomed in kenya for her starring role in a television series about the famous Elsa of 'Born Free'.

She has two trainers - Cheryl Shawver, an American, and Alexander Aron From Tanzania. They use a buzzer to train Arusha and as she knows there will be a reward, the method works well.

The television series is the second time Arusha ha splayed the part of Elsa. The first time was in "Living Free" which followed "Born Free".

Thanks to careful training and handling, she's as tame as the legendary Elsa, and thoroughly enjoys a romp when the shooting schedule allows time.

The trainers exercise and play with Arusha every day, reinforcing her training. Their enclosure is near Lake Naivasha in the Rift Valley which is quite a holiday for Arusha - who was born and brought up in the United States.

The porcupines also appear in the series. Paul Radin, the producer also produced the two feature films about Elsa.

The cubs are good company for everyone. Their training has already started with the buzzer - so one day maybe they'll be film stars too.