Most people would be alarmed to find a lion lounging in their bed, but for guest house owner Annel Snyman, snuggling with Timba, an eight-month-old white lion cub, is just another day in her home near Bela Bela, South Africa.
Since adopting Timba in March, Annel has made the friendly feline a part of her daily routine, treating him like a dog.
Timba is not your average pet; he’s house-trained and likes helping himself to snacks from Annel’s kitchen. He even walks with her dog, Diesel, showcasing his playful nature.
However, Timba’s presence poses some challenges regarding Annel’s romantic life. “Relationships can be a challenge,” Annel admits, highlighting the jealousy over who gets to cuddle with her on the couch.
“It usually ends up with me on one couch, Timba snuggled on my lap, and the other person looking rather concerned on the other couch or outside.”
Timba has perfected the art of wedging himself between Annel and her guests, making it hard for anyone to compete for her attention. “If only every father could have a lion to keep the boys away from their daughters,” she jokes.
Annel’s friends and family have adjusted to her unconventional living situation, although her neighbors are often amazed by the sight of a white lion and a woman cohabiting.
“They’ve gotten used to the occasional tackle by a large cat while visiting,” she explains. “They are familiar with Timba investigating their coffee or any sweet treats they bring.”
Annel’s journey into animal adoption began six years ago when her parents helped her open Loebies Guestfarm.
To make the guesthouse more appealing, she adopted farm animals and sought a permit from the Department of Nature Conservation to keep and raise wild animals.
Since then, she has hand-reared various exotic animals, including a cheetah cub, five lions, a white lion, a leopard, and six serval kittens.
For Annel, working with these animals has been therapeutic and shaped her life unexpectedly. “This was quite a challenge, but the first wild animals I cared for were my children and my life,” she reflects.
Eventually, the difficulty of parting with her beloved pets led her to apply for a permit to keep predators permanently.
Living with a lion cub is not without its difficulties. “While most people are amazed, this has become my life and part of who I am,” Annel states.
“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.”
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