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11 Years Of Friendship Between A Lion And The Human That Saved Him
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11 Years Of Friendship Between A Lion And The Human That Saved Him

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It goes without saying that you should be careful around lions and other wild animals, but that doesn’t mean that they are un-feeling, cold-blooded killers. Frikkie Von Solms, a 69-year-old caretaker of wild cats in Southern Africa, knows this perfectly well: he has spent the last 11 raising Zion, a gentle, tender, and loving African lion.

Zion was born in captivity to a lioness named Simba but had to be separated due to fears that his father would kill him. Growing up with Von Solms, Zion has turned into a little softie and when Von Solms goes for a walk with him he takes his shoes off because their noise bothers the big cat.

It was a once in a lifetime experience to grow up with him and learn and live with him through all of the stages of being a male lion,,” Von Solms told the Daily Mail. “People talk about lions like they are just some African cats, but they have personalities, they have humor and laugh. Zion is a gentle pet lion. He has never attacked humans, and I trust him completely.

(h/t: dailymail)

Zion was separated from his mother as a cub for fears that his father would kill him

He has spent all 11 years of his life growing up with Frikkie the caretaker

Zion is such a softie that he prefers Frikkie walk without his shoes because noise bothers him

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The 11-year-old lion and 69-year-old caretaker have become the best of friends

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“Zion is a gentle giant. He has never attacked humans and I trust him completely”

“It was a once in a lifetime experience to grow up with him and learn and live with him through all of the stages of being a lion”

“People talk about lions like they are just lions but they have personalities, they have humour and laugh”

The two are so close that they share a truck and a bed

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Frikkie says he has raised 19 lions, tigers and cheetahs, but says that Zion “is special because of the bond we share. I learned so much from him”

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Sometimes, Frikkie even holds Zion’s tail affectionately

Lions can be dangerous, but Frikkie and Zion prove that this is not always the case

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sandra.mason.7549 avatar
SandraMason
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing. Nothing like sharing a bond with a four footed best friend.

bkitaly1 avatar
BarbaraKoch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I so love this man and this lion. May others take their lead.

jochrisco avatar
JoChrisco
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me yearn for a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb.

rome_desjar avatar
PascalDesjardins
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

until the lion becomes a lion. animal personality is one thing but an animal instinct is great and one day it could happened

joanne_lowery_92 avatar
JoanneLowery
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing as the father would of killed Zion, it was an opportunity for Zion& Friggie. The setting is perfect but should not become the norm.

lori_ali_9 avatar
LoriAli
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While all this is cute......at the end of the day HELLO! Wild animal.. Nuff said... Duh

reza_hemmatzadeh_9 avatar
RezaHemmatzadeh
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this big cat I wish I had such a lion friend I love you both

Therese Mulholland avatar
ThereseMulholland
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love and bonding can happen between anyone..........love given is it,s own reward

GlyniCT avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds one of the story of Christian who was bought as a cub in London & then returned to the wild in Africa.

spookygirlinsandiego avatar
Laurie Barak
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got to pet a young male lion once. It was kind of like massaging a furry, stinky rock - his muscles were amazing.

justin_helmcamp_7 avatar
Justin Helmcamp
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love these stories. A relationship between a man and a huge carnivorous animal. Proof that love and friendship trump animal instinct.

vinca_price avatar
Vinca Price
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope Zion wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/

vinca_price avatar
VincaPrice
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope he wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/

kim_dilati avatar
KimDilati
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful story. Better than seeing Putin on the dunny can

sandra.mason.7549 avatar
SandraMason
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Amazing. Nothing like sharing a bond with a four footed best friend.

bkitaly1 avatar
BarbaraKoch
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I so love this man and this lion. May others take their lead.

jochrisco avatar
JoChrisco
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It makes me yearn for a time when the lion will lie down with the lamb.

rome_desjar avatar
PascalDesjardins
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

until the lion becomes a lion. animal personality is one thing but an animal instinct is great and one day it could happened

joanne_lowery_92 avatar
JoanneLowery
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Seeing as the father would of killed Zion, it was an opportunity for Zion& Friggie. The setting is perfect but should not become the norm.

lori_ali_9 avatar
LoriAli
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While all this is cute......at the end of the day HELLO! Wild animal.. Nuff said... Duh

reza_hemmatzadeh_9 avatar
RezaHemmatzadeh
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love this big cat I wish I had such a lion friend I love you both

Therese Mulholland avatar
ThereseMulholland
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love and bonding can happen between anyone..........love given is it,s own reward

GlyniCT avatar
GlynisLailann
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds one of the story of Christian who was bought as a cub in London & then returned to the wild in Africa.

spookygirlinsandiego avatar
Laurie Barak
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I got to pet a young male lion once. It was kind of like massaging a furry, stinky rock - his muscles were amazing.

justin_helmcamp_7 avatar
Justin Helmcamp
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love these stories. A relationship between a man and a huge carnivorous animal. Proof that love and friendship trump animal instinct.

vinca_price avatar
Vinca Price
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope Zion wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/

vinca_price avatar
VincaPrice
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope he wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/

kim_dilati avatar
KimDilati
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beautiful story. Better than seeing Putin on the dunny can

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