The results of patience, dedication and love: Dean Schneider's lions
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Lilith — 1 year ago(June 18, 2024 01:43 PM)
He absolutely is. These lions, as well the other animals he has on the reserve, are all in a protected and safe environment. They are all rescued from poachers, from zoos, from people who bought wild animals as "pets" and then didn't want them. They're rescued from abuse. He has an entire dome for monkeys, he has zebras, hyenas, and a number of other animals. A lot of them, he rescued as cubs, so as he explained, like any other family, they grew up together. He has been interacting with them since they were young, and always maintained contact with ALL of them, even when some of the lions, especially Nayla, would get very jealous when he'd spend time with the other lions.
But he said it still requires patience, empathy and love, and he had to not give in to her jealousy. He has been covered in deep lacerations and has many scars on his body, but as he explains, you can't get upset with the lions for being lions. If you watch him interact now, they intentionally keep their claws in when playing with dad. When you've got a 400–500-pound lion jumping up on your "lap" and pouncing on you when you're standing, can you imagine how strong he is? Above all, he respects them, and their lives. He even pranks them when he's playing with them. I don't think it's luck, but it's the respect and loyalty they have towards and with each other.
Many of these animals were raised since babies, and some of the ones he's rescued have taken more work than the cubs, but he spends equal time playing and wrestling and hanging out with all of the animals. It's nice that the rescued animals will never have to fear poachers again.
"Your emotional state is not my responsibility." – Warren Smith