Kevin Richardson met his first lion at the age of 23; it was a meeting that changed his life. 11 years later, Richardson now owns a vast private reserve in South Africa where a pride of 38 lions lives. In what is an unbelievable, incredible achievement, Richardson has been accepted, embraced, by the lions as one of their own. He is one with the pride.

This incredible set of photographs shows Richardson interacting with lions, hyenas and leopards.

And lions don't even like the water. More amazing images after the jump, we promise they're worth a look...

I wish we had invited Kevin Richardson to speak at TEDx Mumbai.