Lions

**Raven** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 217

Hi everyone,

I have a special interest in lions, tigers and ligers. Does anyone have any photos or stories to share?

thanks,
Raven

**Raven** · Site Admin Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 217

Here is a photo of one of the lionesses from the MGM grand in Vegas.

enjoy,
Raven

timbalionguy · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

Here's a couple of pictures of my lion friend Kenya. You may recognize one of these as the aource of my avatar.

Kenya #1
Kenya #2

Here's a couple pictures of my beloved friend Hobbs the liger. Hobbs died in February Sad

Hobbs #1
Hobbs #2

ZEKE · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 436

nice looking big cats you have there. Kenya looks very content in those pics.

poor Hobbs Sad

he was a good looking cat. i didnt even know a liger was real.

Kastrophee · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 48 Location: CA, USA

What would you reccomend? A male or female lion if you want to be able to handle them when they are full grown?

(Not really wanting a lion, just curious)
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timbalionguy · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

Hobbs was a very special cat. Not long after I started working with him, he 'adopted' me. We were best friends after that, up to his very last breath. I still cry for him every day.

As far as which sex lion is easier to work with, it is definitely the lionesses, according to most trainers. The males tend to be lazy, stubborn, and will 'test' your authority. That said, there have been some very exceptional male lions, that were incredibly laid back and easy to work with. Marjan and Josef come to mind as among these exceptional lions.

Kastrophee · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 48 Location: CA, USA

Could you tell me a bit about the lioness personality?
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timbalionguy · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

Cynthia · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 26

Prior to volunteering at a wild animal retirement sanctuary, the proprietors owned a lioness that their teenage daughter slept with, they had many photos, one of which lioness was a footstool while the owner read her books--this cat had quite a reputation as they would take it all over town with them and without incident--the lioness died at the age of 22--also, this sanctuary had connections with Born Free Foundation and took lion cub up to NYC for promotion involving George Adamson--wonder when this organization went anti-ownership? Knew a young fella who raised a lion from a cub, they had a wonderful relationship, he would groom and bathe him and teach him tricks--DMX (rapper) used this lion for cover for music CD--but then he had to move this lion to a sanctuary and I believe the lion was 2 when he challenged him--unfortunately, the owner was too inexperienced and relinquished ownership to this sanctuary where this magnificent lion died a few years later from a ?rattlesnake bite?--quite suspicious!

timbalionguy · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 10

We had a restaurant here in Reno, called 'The Christmas Tree'. It was in a beautiful mountain location. (It is now a private banquet center). The owners had a beautiful male lion, who would sit in the lobby and greet the guests as they arrived. Even today, there is a picture of the lion 'doing his duty' in the lobby. This lion was reportedly quite tame and would even let children pet it. (Not something i would recommend!)

Sylvias · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 32

How does one even come to own a lion? I wasn't aware it was legal without working for a zoo or wildlife service...

Cynthia · Joined: 21 Dec 2007 Posts: 26

If you are Florida resident, you now can only get a permit for a lion or any Class I Felidae if you are a breeder or exhibitor. You must have 1,000 hours of documented experience and 2 letters signed by those whom you worked for to get the experience. You can obtain an application for a permit from the Fish & Wildlife Commission. If you meet the qualifications, your facililty and caging must be complete and inspected before a permit is granted. In this crazy world of ours, I am not so sure Class I permits are even granted now for any reason here in Florida.