22 Photos Of A Gentle and Loving Lion Raised By a Human

If we were to come across a lion or other wild animals we would most likely run away, but what would happen if you came across a baby lion? Frikkie Von Solms is a caretaker from South Africa, he has spent the last 11 years raising a baby lion he named Zion. Unlike other lions, Zion is a gentle and loving African lion, these 22 Photos 22 Photos Of A Gentle and Loving Lion Raised By a Human !

Lions are one of the most fearsome animals, but this didn’t stop Frikkie from raising Zion. Born into captivity to a lioness named Simba, they had to be separated due to fears that his father might try to kill him. Living with Frikkie has made Zion into a cute and cuddly huge lion who is quite a softy. Freddie takes Zion on walks, but he has to take his shoes off because the noise can bother the other big cats. He says:

“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,” Von Solms told the Daily Mail. “People talk about lions like they are just lions but they have personalities, they have humour and laugh. Zion is a gentle giant. 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

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

Video: