• AOL
  • MAIL
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-24-13
    • Personality Matching Worksheet: Why You Are The Way You Are
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-23-13
    • The 15 Dirtiest Jokes in Kids' Cartoons
    • ESPN Likes Johnny Manziel's V-I-P-ness
    • 10 Amazing Things Found in the Tornado Rubble
    • Interactive Map Shows Moore Before and After the Tornado
    • Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-24-2013
    • Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-23-2013
    • Look: Interactive Google Map Reveals Moore Tornado's Path
Sign In / Register
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Home
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 20-24, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Dog Imitates Baby

  • View Gallery

    Randall Celebrates the Beagle Freedom Project Reunion

  • View Gallery

    Lion French Kisses a Dachshund

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Training
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    Shelter Dogs and Cats Become State Pet

  • View Gallery

    Dog Imitates Baby

  • View Gallery

    Randall Celebrates the Beagle Freedom Project Reunion

  • View Gallery

    Take a Bow-Wow: Blind Poodle Wins Cannes' 'Palm Dog'

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavior
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 24th, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Rare Javan Leopards Caught on Camera Trap

  • View Gallery

    Philly Cyclist Becomes a Viral Hit By Biking His Cat Around The City

  • Photos
  • Pets A-Z
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Causes
  • Wild Animals
  • Lifestyle
  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 20-24, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Honey Badgers Charge at Zebras

  • View Gallery

    Ze Frank Teaches 'True Facts About the Aye Aye'

  • View Gallery

    PETA Angry With 'Hangover 3' for Scenes of Animal Cruelty

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Celebs
  • Talented
  • Weird
  • View Gallery

    Shelter Dogs and Cats Become State Pet

  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 20-24, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Take a Bow-Wow: Blind Poodle Wins Cannes' 'Palm Dog'

  • View Gallery

    Lion French Kisses a Dachshund

  • View All
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Editor's Favorites
  • View Video

    Dog Imitates Baby

  • View Video

    Randall Celebrates the Beagle Freedom Project Reunion

  • View Video

    Lion French Kisses a Dachshund

  • View Video

    Rare Javan Leopards Caught on Camera Trap

Get in the game
This Week's Top Leaders.
  • 1. Nora Sunshine Chicago, IL
  • 2. ChewChew New York, NY
  • 3. Joe Shoals, IN
  • 4. Joy Downers Grove, IL
  • 5. ROMEO Ft. Worth, TX
  • Gestation for a Meerkat

  • How to Pamper Your Rabbit

  • Birds Native to Illinois Wetlands

  • The Pasture Size for Sheep

  • Gulls of the World

Cats

  • Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow @paw_nation
  • Follow @ChopperInCharge
  • Follow @CairoInControl
  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavior
  • Grooming

Woman Raises White Lion Cub In Her Home

the daily dish More on PawNation: Awesome, Exotic, Lions, Newborns, The Dish, Weird

By Kelli Bender Oct 31, 2012

  • Caters News
    1 of 8

    Think your house kitty takes up a lot of bed space? Try sleeping with a real big cat. According to Daily Mail U.K., a South African woman shares her home with an eight-month-old white lion. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    2 of 8

    Annel Snyman adopted Timba the lion earlier this year, and has been treating the animal like a kitten ever since. The lion is house-trained and enjoys assisting with chores and activities. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    3 of 8

    Timba may be treated like a feline, but he likes to think he is more of a canine. The lion often joins Snyman and her dog Diesel on walks, edging his way into the best spot. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    4 of 8

    Timba may seem big now, but the young lion isn't done growing. At full size, the unusual exotic pet could reach 550 lbs, which doesn't worry Snyman. It's good that the owner is so accepting of Timba, because the lion isn't always as welcoming.  

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    5 of 8

    "Relationships can be a challenge though, as there are often some jealousy issues about who is going to snuggle up with who on the couch," Snyman told Daily Mail. "It normally ends up with me on one couch with Timba snuggled up on my lap and the other person on the other couch or outside, looking rather concerned." 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    6 of 8

    Snyman didn't just adopt Timba as a thrill, she is trying to protect the rare animal. Several years ago, Snyman turned her expansive land into an animal sanctuary. Originally only open to farm animals, Snyman applied to the Department of Nature Conservation to welcome in wild animals, too.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    7 of 8

    Since receiving approval, Snyman has assisted cheetahs, lions, leopards and African wild cats. The animal lover has become so attached to some of her furry guests that she applied for permission to keep the predators permanently. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • Caters News
    8 of 8
    Next: Cutest White Lion Cubs!

    Now, Snyman is surrounded by more paws than people, but she is happy with it that way. 

    'While most people are amazed, this has become my life and part of who I am. There are times when it is difficult to do day-to-day things but I do manage to live a normal life -- well, normal for me, anyway," Snyman told Daily Mail. 

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
109

158 Comments

Filter by:
stephen5308w

i think it's a wonderful idea.. lions are my most favorite animal in the world, and I owe it all to her for her love of lions/cats

Tuesday at 12:23 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Dawn Foyles

wow, so many have so many bad things to say about this. But what would have happened if she hadn't 'rescued' these animals, probably wouldn't have had a chance in (well you know where) . I'm sure she just doesn't go out and find one and decide she's going to keep it. I commend her, and her love for wildlife! I'm sure she knows what's she's doing, she's been doing it long enough!

February 12 2013 at 7:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Andrea Francione Sav

Gorgeous animal, but WILD...no matter how much love she gives him, there's a good chance she might not wake up one of these days (and y

January 15 2013 at 8:30 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
marilynespie

If lions could be really tame don't you think they would be selling them like any other pet. They are wild and need to be out in the wild. Dogs etc. were not tamed that quickly. It took a lot of years before man had finally had them as pets. Do we have to be so greedy? Can't e just let them be who they are and leave them alone

December 19 2012 at 3:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
thumbdumray

i hope that lion is declawed and has teeth removed!

December 18 2012 at 2:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Me

These animals are wild- that should say all... I'm so tired of hearing the phrase, "it's how you raise them" what is that suppose to mean? They are wild by nature- that's all that needs to be said.

December 12 2012 at 7:45 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
nickfelds

You only hear about the bad cases of people having these big cats, lots of people have them, its how you raise them. There tons of these animals in captivity, and you only hear about that sad case every couple of years. What about dogs, they attack people WAY more often than these cats.

December 12 2012 at 3:53 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
rllybgpp

If you look at her hands they are scratched and bitten. As he gets older he will get stronger and he knows not when to stop playing. She is headed for big trouble. Like the woman who let her friends face get ripped off by that ape.

December 12 2012 at 3:33 PM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
stmuro

Animals belong in the wild . They shouldn't be in our disco dreamy homes !!!!!!����������do not EVER get me ANGRY p.s I LOVE chicken wings!!!!!!! Tiger go home I won't tell her!!!!!

December 12 2012 at 2:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
schessin

ask Sigfried and Roy if this is an accident waiting to happen

December 06 2012 at 2:19 AM Report abuse Permalink +2 rate up rate down Reply
Load more comments

Who is Cutest?

Malcolm Boots
Vote Now

Get your daily dose of PawNation by signing up for the Newsletter!

Thanks. You're pawesome.
More Cuteness

More on PawNation

  • Ask A Vet Get answers.
  • Pets Taking Bubble Baths LOL
  • Dogs Are Better Than Boyfriends Why?
  • Is Your Dog Sick? Check symptoms.
  • !2 Craziest Mutant Animals Wow!
  • Play The "Who's Cutest" Game Vote now!

From:

  • Photos: Top 10 Dogs for Kids
  • Chocolate Toxicity Meter for Dogs
  • Why Do Dogs Eat Grass
  • Are You Overfeeding Your Cat?

From:

  • Does Your Pet Have Cancer? 6 Signs to Look For
  • The Biggest Pet Threat as the Weather Warms Up
  • Travel Tips For You and Your Pet
  • Flea-Proof Your Pets
  • Get Fit for Summer With Your Pet

From:

  • Finding Military Pets Foster Homes
  • Soldier Reunited With Missing Dog
  • How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Animals
  • Vital Test for Spotting Skin Cancer
  • 20 Trendiest Dog Breeds

From:

  • 18 Dogs That Make You Smile
  • Dogs That Will Do Anything For Kids
  • How to Help Your Dog Cope With Separation Anxiety
  • A Golden Retriever's World Record Bark
  • Pawnation
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest

Most Pawpular:

  • Okla. Sheriff's Deputy Finds Dog Guarding Body Buried Under Destroyed Home
  • Reptiles Make Home in UK Man's Cable Box
  • South American 'Crazy' Ants Are a Threat in Southern US
  • Barbecue and Picnic Hazards
  • Okla. Tornado Survivor Finds Missing Dog During Live TV Interview

Most Recent:

  • Shelter Dogs and Cats Become State Pet
  • Weekly Adorbs for May 20-24, 2013
  • Dog Imitates Baby
  • 5 Ways to Get Your Cat to Stop Biting You
  • Enormous Dog Is a Mystery for Calif. Animal Shelter

Follow PawNation

Never miss a single purr or woof
Sign up here for newsletter

Thanks. You're pawesome.
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy
  • Send Feedback
  • About our Ads
  • Copyright Notices
  • Community Guidelines
  • Media/PR Inquiries
  • © 2013 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
AOL Family
BermanBraun