Man hops right on lion's back, but this isn't any circus act

In what looks to be a scene out of a modern "Jungle Book," Kevin Richardson becomes truly part of the pride of lions, getting down on their level and looking them in the eyes. In this "60 Minutes" profile, Richardson contends that lions don't look to kill, but rather avoid most confrontation.
"They do seem to be attached in a way because when you go away, they do miss you and they do lovingly greet you when you come back," Richardson says. "They're the only social cat, as we know – a truly social cat – so that's quite important to lions."
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According to the African Wildlife Foundation, declining habitat in Africa has lead to a 42 percent decline in lion populations. Declared vulnerable in population in 1996, the lions continued decreasing due to growing and encroaching human populations. This human population expansion, as well as the decline of lion's food sources, leads to increasing conflicts, such as livestock attacks and increased hunting.
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Could it be that humans only miss out on an understanding of lions like Richardson discovered? Pass along this amazing video so that others may look at the king of the jungle in a new light as well.