Raised Human S01E02 - My Lion and Me

The true story of animal trainer Ralph Helfer who raised a lion, Zamba, in his Californian home, who became his best friend, and playmate, to Ralph's toddler daughter.

When a three month-old African lion cub, rescued from starvation in Africa in 1952 was handed over to Californian Ralph Helfer a beautiful relationship developed. Over the next 18 years, Ralph trained the lion, Zamba through affection, not fear. This gentle giant, who lived not in a cage but in Ralph's own home, became a soul mate to Ralph, a 500lb companion to his little daughter, Tana, and a movie star. Nearly fifty years after Zamba's death, Ralph continues to cherish his lion's memory, and their legacy lives on in the way animals are trained for the movies today.