Playing with a Lion at the Zoo

You can rant about this video as much as you'd like, but the problem with this situation is bigger than me.

Lions are not an endangered species under conservation of the zoo, nor are these lions being rehabilitated. These poor beasts are poorly treated being locked up and on display for the public. While I dont condone the teasing of animals, unless you can argue that my challenging and playing with this Lion is actually socially and psychologically damaging (cite some actual sources) than I'm not going to sympathize with your complaints.

I'm actually very much active in helping nurture and rehabilitate animals as well as study them. My long term goal is to become a predatory expert like Manny Puig, and you do this by exploring and testing the animal. This Lion was not injured, and is mildly annoyed in the film at best, but what I learned from it are a few things:

1) Lions react to eye contact like a dog would. He had nearly no response to me other than curiosity until I started looking him in the eye.

2) He was not phased by my growling. You can't tell in the video, because you can't see my face, but I was actually trying multiple tactics to rouse him, and if I simply growled with my eyes shut, he would relax.

3) Running at him provoked a challenge to him, and combined with the eye contact is what set him on edge

To all the commenters that want to hate.. have fun, it's only making this video more viral and encouraging me to do more (how do you think Jackass became so popular). I'm your typical American, and you can say whatever you want about me, that's the beauty of free speech. You're entitled to your opinion, and I'm entitled to my adrenaline rush and stupidity. Just put your hypocrisy in check next time you tap on a fish tank, buy something from a pet store, or own an animal, because all of those things enslave and tease for your own amusement. I at least learned something from my play-time :)

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• lion
• lion attack
• teasing lion
• lion tease
• man vs lion
• denver zoo
• denver zoo lion
• denver lion
• lion zoo
• real
• colorado
• michigan zoo
• detroit zoo

[YukonCornelius1776]

It's a damn shame that Harry Potter kid wasn't around.

[MrJosh91189]

that lion looks like he can use a conditioner

[CLAUDIABERTONI]

what a idiot ...

[sinkingship101]

What a asshole

[tmntHitler95]

Cool lightsaber.

[LlamaRyu]

Poor lion

[hotguy033]

lions have been here way longer then man,they deserve to be free...end of story!!

[Kirwina]

why harass the animals?

[printisoric]

I would like to see their faces if someone removes the glass..

[ariesnr1]

Clayton, you have issues. Did ur mommy abuse u?

[CLOVY4EVER]

the whole. family. absolute losers

[CLOVY4EVER]

losers!!!!!!!!!!