Allan the lion, during a downpour

The rushing water sound in the video is a brief heavy rainshower that was happening while I was petting Allan the lion. I picked that day to visit specifically because of the cloudy and rainy weather, and during the day of the week most people were working! It meant no lines and a long time to spend with the lions! I got to hang out with Allan and his two sons for a full half-hour, and it was the most wonderful time of my life.Show more

I cannot emphasize enough how absolute the joy is to be accepted by a lion as a trusted friend. Allan knew me by voice after having visited there every year and taking as much time as I could with him each time, and as you can see, he was very relaxed.

The only time I ever saw him 'excited' was when he was watching his keepers getting a bundle of lemon grass (in another clip I posted, he's chewing on some), which he really loves. And he was pacing about rapidly until they gave him some of it.

Lion's manes aren't as rough as some people say. I'd actually say it's a little less course than horse hair.