Pierre v.d. Spuy recently visited an animal sanctuary near Mossel Bay:

Interacting with big cats is a life changing experience and this weekend I had the privilege to do just that. Jurg and Karen Olsen run an animal sanctuary near Mossel Bay and provides shelter for animals rescued from zoos, inhumane private owners and other horrid predicaments. They do not breed with the animals and do not practice submissive methods to control their big cats...patience is the name of the game. They work 365 days a year and are open to the public for educational tours. In short these people are absolute saints, dedicated to solving problems. The experience left a lasting impression on me as an individual. Having a male white lion racing toward you with only a 200mm lens as defence is humbling and exhilarating at the same time, and leaves you trembling inside.

The CAPESTORM sponsored Foster Brothers Production crew are collaborating with an international wildlife film company to produce a documentary and this is how I received an invitation to this unique hands-on experience, not allowed to the general public. Craig Foster suggested I take with a pair of Tech Longs for Jurg after his previous visits wearing our pants and Jurg's comments that these are the only pants he has ever seen withstand the onslaughts of a full-grown African lion or Bengal tiger's razor sharp claws. Jurg wore the pants on Sunday morning and took them through their paces. He showed me some of his other garments destroyed at the paws of lions and tigers, while the CAPESTORM pants stayed intact. He commented on the complete mobility that these offer compared to his jeans and that he was quite suspicious about their durability because they felt so light. He had no reservation announcing to the visitors, during his tour, that this was the most durable fabric he has ever come across. The fact that the Tech Longs can survive the attentions of these big cats should ensure that they can offer ample protection in the 'normal' outdoor environment!