Keeping a pet lion cub is not at all similar to owning other pets, not everyone is capable of this. Legal restrictions on keeping a wild animal as a pet vary from country to country. In some countries, you will need a license to own a big cat, such as in Thailand. In some countries, it is banned, while the rest have no laws against it, such as Alabama and Pakistan. A lion cub can cost around $1,500 to $15,000. The price of a lion mostly depends on its breed, but it can also depend on other factors like age and gender. A rarer species, like the white lion, can cost up to $140,000. That is because they are considered endangered species and require extra care. A cub will cost you a lot less than a full-sized lion.
How can I adopt a lion cub?
In a world of technology, adopting a cub is not very difficult. All you have to do is log in to www.mysorezoo.info, fill up the form, and make the appropriate payments. You can also visit the website https://exoticwildcats.com/ for adoption and guidance. You can also purchase a lion from private breeders.
The first step will be selecting a location nearest to a vet and with an environment where the cub feels comfortable. A lion requires annual vaccinations and fecal examinations for internal diseases twice a year. Other than this, a lion’s diet is the most important thing when keeping it as a pet. You should offer them fresh water at all costs. They feed on animals like rabbits, sheep, chickens, horses, etc. You should also provide them with bones once or twice a week to help maintain healthy teeth. So make sure to can arrange all this food for them before adopting.
Moreover, you should be trained in handling a wild animal and have an insurance policy to cover any damage caused by your big cat. Next will be obtaining a permit from your local council. That can cost you around 200 pounds plus £100 inspection fees per hour which may vary according to your location. You must review your license before it expires.
Make sure that you have your cage built before purchasing a lion. It should be at least 20-foot wide and a 15-foot deep cage. The sides should be 10 to 16 feet high, depending on whether there is a top. Wire mesh and gauge wire is used for the building of the cage.
Try keeping the cage as close to its natural habitat as possible by plating grass and trees inside it. If you are purchasing more than one lion, then the size of the cage should be increased at least by 50% per lion. A watering hole should also be arranged for them to bathe and drink water. The cost of a cage will be approximately $65,000.
Is keeping a pet lion safe?
No, keeping a lion as a pet is very risky. Although lion cubs are not as dangerous, lions are wild animals and can never be domesticated. You may think that if they grew up with you as their caretaker, they will not harm you. That is not true, a lion will take only a few seconds to kill you. Still, many people believe that they can be loyal pets. If they feel like you are not a threat to them and they feel safe and comfortable with you, lions can show affection and love to you.
But even if you train them since their cub ages, they can easily overpower you and attack you anytime. They belong to the wild and can never be tamed and domesticated. Lions are aggressive animals and like to show their dominance over other animals by attacking or killing them. Even if your lion has lived with you since it was a cub, there is a high possibility that on getting hungry, it will only see you like a piece of meat.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
How long does a lion live?
The average lifespan of a lion in the wild is 8-10 years, while females can live up to 16 years in the wild. In captivity, lions may live longer as they do not face any threats from the wild. A lion’s average lifespan in a cage is 20 to 26 years. It is said that the longest-living lion has lived for about 29 years in captivity.
What do lion cubs eat?
They feed on their mother’s breast milk for about 6 to 10 months. Only when they get 2-3 months old, do they start eating meat, but still, they need their mother for food and protection from other predators as they can get eaten easily at this age. They start participating in hunting from the age of 11 months and become independent by the age of 2 years.
