He is a third-generation tamer and has been helping at his British-born father’s lion park since he was a child
Ruaridh Connellan / Barcroft Media
Shandor Larenty, 18, has a special bond with 250kg beast Zavu and plays with him all the time.
He said: “Zavu is a special lion because he loves me and we are best friends.
"He loves to be cuddled and be centre of attention. One of his favourite things is a foot massage.
“I’ve grown up doing this. I love it. My friends think I’m a little bit crazy going in with a fully-grown lion.”
Shandor is a third-generation tamer and has been helping at his British-born father’s Lion Park in Johannesburg since he was a child.
Despite the risks, Shandor only has a stick for protection, and he admitted: “Those teeth do a lot of damage.”
Proud dad Alex, 54, originally from Chipping Norton, Oxon, provides lions for movies.
He said: “You train them to do all sorts, but you can’t train them not to eat you.
"For someone of his age, Shandor is doing extremely well. I’ve got to watch my job.”
Well the teenager does have plenty of roar courage..
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