Jim Jablon’s month-long stay with lions comes to an end.
SPRING HILL –
Walking into the Wildlife Rehabilitation of Hernando, Jim Jablon can still be seen huddled over a computer with a cup of coffee in one hand and a cell phone in the other, answering calls from NBC, CBS and most importantly- his mother.
“Mom, I’ve already showered and been to Walmart. It’s all good,” Jablon reassured her as he adjusted the video camera that is still streaming live video of his two African lions to the Web.
After spending 31 days in a 4,000-square-foot cage with lions Ed, 1, and Lea, 2, Jablon, 46, is just ready to return to normalcy. Well, at least for now.
“I just want to get back to my life,” he said.
In hopes of raising funds and awareness for the 14-acre site, which includes Siberian tigers, spider monkeys, emus and more, Jablon’s month-long stay with the lions raised about $75,000 in donations that came from all over the world, including contributions from China, Australia, Germany and Canada.
“That will feed the animals for a year. Hopefully it will start up enough awareness,” he said. “It just shows that there are animal lovers that pop out of the woodworks.”
Even after his first hot shower in 31 days, returning to a normal routine wasn’t as easy as Jablon thought it would be.
“I couldn’t sleep in my own bed. It just felt too weird,” he said. “I’m exhausted mentally and physically. I’ve got to get back to stretching and moving and grooving here.”
Jablon spent most of the month online, interacting with viewers who watched him wrestle playfully with his 225-pound roommates.
At times Jablon faced unforgiving elements, wrapping up in heavy blankets to withstand freezing temperatures and huddling under large tarps to hold up against the January showers.
While Jablon said he never feared injury from Ed and Lea, he has received criticism from wildlife advocates who accuse him of exploiting the lions and promoting them as pets, an accusation Jablon intends to ignore.
“People are just running their mouths. If they would’ve been paying attention and watching, they would see that these animals know me and I know them. These animals aren’t pets,” he said.
Jablon said he hopes to expand his venture this summer or fall to include the whole park.
“We’re going to do more of the whole park, a different enclosure each day, and share different animals with everyone,” he said. “It was well worth it. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
For more information, visit Wrohflorida.org or contact Jablon at 352-279-3600.
Reporter Hayley Mathis can be reached at 352-544-5225 or [email protected].
