Dog Gets Into Lion Enclosure, Jungle Cat Smells Him

A Surprise Visit

The little sausage dog was oblivious to the fact that he’d just wandered into a big cat’s enclosure. At first, the lion froze in his tracks, but then he slowly approached the little dog who had intruded on his territory.

The people who watched the encounter unfold expected the worst, but they were in for a surprise. The lion made eye contact with the dog and sniffed the air around him. That was when something completely unexpected happened.

A Little Rough

When John Reinke took a new lion cub into the sanctuary for big cats, he never imagined he would eventually be put in such a difficult position with dozens of guests watching with their mouths agape.

Bonedigger was raised by John from a young age. “He won’t hurt me because I’ve been with him from day one,” John said. “You do have to keep your guard up.

You’ve always got to remember that they are natural stalkers.”

Jungle Cat

John initially took Bonedigger in at the G.W. Interactive Zoological Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, after veterinarians determined that he wouldn’t be able to survive out in the wild on his own.

In fact, it was this that led to the lion’s intimidating name – and to the feeling of dread that struck John when the dog found itself in reach of his devastating claws.

Rare Condition

Bonedigger was diagnosed with a metabolic bone disease when he was born. The rare condition meant that the lion’s bones would grow abnormally and that they would be far more brittle than usual.

This meant that the animal would never be able to live out in the wild and that his condition put him at a serious disadvantage. John had to keep his guard up at all times.

The Tiger King

John’s job as park manager at the notorious zoo also meant that he had to put out a fair share of fires.

And as the park grew in popularity, more and more people were showing up at the zoo to witness Joe “Tiger King” Exotic’s big cat stunts. But it wasn’t long before it began to attract a very different kind of clientele. It was John’s job to keep them at bay.