The Lioness of Richardson Park
You’ve probably watched Tiger King on Netflix by now. If not, it’s a documentary series about the world of big-cat owners in America. Did you know there was once a 350 pound lioness named Bunji that lived in New Castle County? It sounds like an urban legend but it’s true. There’s even a facebook group called “I remember the lion that lived in Richardson Park.” Many people remember this lion vividly. Bunji lived in a single family home in Newport with her owner, the late Norman H. Taylor, an outdoorsman and environmentalist. Bunji used to quake the neighbors with her loud roar early in the morning, and sometimes in the early evening. The good news is she was declawed and apparently perfectly tame. Norman Taylor told the News Journal in an interview, she liked to look at children- but not eat them. Bunji lived for more than 20 years in Richardson Park. When Taylor passed away in December 2007, Bunji was mentioned in his obituary. “Norman will be remembered for his great love of animals, including his pet lion,” the notice read. If you’re thinking perhaps you would like to raise a big cat, think again. In New Castle County exotic animals are prohibited on any parcel of land that is in a residential district and less than 1 acre in total. It also is unlawful for any owner, tenant or other person in control of a property to raise, breed, keep, shelter or harbor exotic and wild animals.
