Pet a Lion

So … is there somewhere in the states that I could do this ???

...but that technically counts as a lion! I got to pet one at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. He was so cute, and so not interested in me, he just wanted to play with the toys his trainer was holding.

worth it. several years ago i got to tour my neighbors place, they have all sorts of animals there. she brought out the 3 lion cubs she had, it was cool. when i go back to where my folks live, i can hear the lions roar every night. hearing lions roar makes me feel at home. not too many people can say that. :)

In high school I raised money for an animal sanctuary. One of the rescued lions was named Thor. He spend most of his care-free days ripping apart tires. I stuck my hand in his space and pet him. He did not mind. He only let a few people touch him, so I guess I was lucky, and a tad young and stupid to try it in the first place. haha.

Antelope Park in Zimbabwe has a number of ‘tame’ lions with young and slightly older. The larger lions are taken out for regular walks and visitors to the site may accompany the keepers on such outings. The lions like to play fight with one another and with people and this is one of those rare opportunities to be ‘bitten by a lion’ and live to tell the tale! The lions also like to chase the locals which is vaguely amusing in a sadistic kind of way because very few locals will accept that lions can be tame (especially when being chased by them!).

One has to trust the keepers’ claims that the lions are tame, though, and a cynic might point out that the owner of Antelope Park is rather conspicuously missing an arm! Reservations aside, I had a magical experience with these hugely noble and majestic creatures.

Another thing I did while in New Zealand. If you ever go to Rotorua, there is a place called Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park. And they let you pat lion cubs. :D