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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)
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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
The 11-year-old lion and 69-year-old caretaker have become the best of friends
“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
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”
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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What do you think ?
JerryMicheal 10 years ago
yeah, right...this is one brave man, if you ask me http://bit.ly/1IBpdWN
Load More Replies...
PascalDesjardins 10 years ago
until the lion becomes a lion. animal personality is one thing but an animal instinct is great and one day it could happened
JoanneLowery 10 years ago
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.
RezaHemmatzadeh 10 years ago
I love this big cat I wish I had such a lion friend I love you both
ThereseMulholland 10 years ago
Love and bonding can happen between anyone..........love given is it,s own reward
GlynisLailann 10 years ago
Reminds one of the story of Christian who was bought as a cub in London & then returned to the wild in Africa.
Laurie Barak 10 years ago
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 10 years ago
I love these stories. A relationship between a man and a huge carnivorous animal. Proof that love and friendship trump animal instinct.
Vinca Price 10 years ago
Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope Zion wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/
VincaPrice 10 years ago
Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope he wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/
JerryMicheal 10 years ago
yeah, right...this is one brave man, if you ask me http://bit.ly/1IBpdWN
Load More Replies... PascalDesjardins 10 years ago
until the lion becomes a lion. animal personality is one thing but an animal instinct is great and one day it could happened
JoanneLowery 10 years ago
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.
RezaHemmatzadeh 10 years ago
I love this big cat I wish I had such a lion friend I love you both
ThereseMulholland 10 years ago
Love and bonding can happen between anyone..........love given is it,s own reward
GlynisLailann 10 years ago
Reminds one of the story of Christian who was bought as a cub in London & then returned to the wild in Africa.
Laurie Barak 10 years ago
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 10 years ago
I love these stories. A relationship between a man and a huge carnivorous animal. Proof that love and friendship trump animal instinct.
Vinca Price 10 years ago
Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope Zion wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/
VincaPrice 10 years ago
Don't try this at home, for sure. Hope he wasn't declawed. http://www.pawproject.org/
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