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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

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    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. 

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    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. 

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    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. 

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    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.  

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    "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." 

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    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.

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    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. 

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    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. 

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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
Julie

I hope that cat doesn't eat her someday

November 23 2012 at 2:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Julie's comment
bengowave

she looks like she's just waiting to be eaten

December 06 2012 at 1:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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