By MATT BLAKE
Close bond: Timba, who is a year and six months old, can often be found playing with Annel Snyman in the garden and helping himself to food in her kitchen
Playing around in the garden and snuggling up for a quick stroke, this is Timba – the pet cat.
Except that Timba, weighing in at a whopping 120kg, is not your average tabby.
Now a year and six months old, the white lion was adopted by owner Annel Snyman when he was just a tiny cub.
Best fiends: As these remarkable pictures show, Annel has now formed an incredible bond with the 120kg lion, after adopting him as a cub in March last year
The 31-year-old, from the Waterberg region of South Africa, welcomed him into her home last year in the spring, and now shares nearly everything with her unconventional pet.
Annel, who also runs a guest house, has hand reared dozens of animals including six several kittens, a cheetah cub, five lions, a white lion and a leopard in her spare time.
Lion love: The 31-year-old, who lives in the Waterberg region of South Africa, just outside Bela-Bela, said she loved her unconventional pet
The animal-lover admitted some people struggled to adjust to her startling choice of pet.
‘The neighbours are amazed by him and I often see them driving past and slowing down to catch a glimpse,’ she said.
Couldn't let go: Big softie Timba (pictured here as a cub) also enjoys going for walks with Annel's six-year-old dog, Diesel and 'helping out' with everyday chores around the house
Paw-some buddies: As a cub Timba could often be found snoozing in Annel's bed
‘And relationships used to be a challenge as there was often some jealousy issues about who was going to snuggle up with who on the couch.’
She added: ‘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.’
Lion's lair: Annel's love for animals started six years ago when, with help from her mother and father, she opened a guest house - called Loebies Guestfarm - on the land where she lives
'They've also gotten used to having him investigating their coffee or any other sweet items they happen to have.
'He has a fantastic appetite and eats lots of meat - around 4kg every day.'
As a cub Timba could often be found snoozing in Annel's bed but having outgrown the bedroom the friendly feline still trys to cuddle up with Annel on the sofa.
Meaty treat: Naturally, Timba developed a taste for raw meat from a very early age
Training: But Timba also likes nothing more than to relax with Annel - and can be very attentive
source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2429982/Annel-Snymans-pet-LION-Timba-eats-9lbs-food-day-cuddles-sofa.html
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