In the 1970′s, actress and model Tippi Hedren (mother of actress Melanie Griffith) created the Shambala Preserve after producing the film Roar. The preserve rescued exotic big cats living in captivity that had been abused or were in need of help, one of which the family created a close bond with. Neil the lion lived with the family in their home, and played an active role in the day to day activities of the preserve.

Nicki Minaj performs on stage during the 2017 NBA Awards Live On TNT on June 26, 2017 in New York City, USA. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for TNT)

A robin perches on a spade handle in a garden on a rainy day in Lixwm, north Wales. Researchers said this week that when European robins are subjected to human-produced noise, their behaviour changes. (Photo by DGDImages/Alamy Live News)

A chicken gingerly crosses the double yellow line of a country road near Roseburg in western Oregon, USA on July 16, 2018. (Photo by Robin Loznak/ZUMA Wire/Alamy Live News)

British band Florence and the Machine performs at the Bilbao BBK Live festival in Bilbao, Spain, early 13 July 2018. Bilbao BBK Live festival runs from 12 July to 14 July 2018. (Photo by Miguel Tona/EPA/EFE)

Singer Whitney Houston performs onstage at the 2009 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Emily Ratajkowski is seen at “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on August 07, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rex Features/Shutterstock)

A housewife whose family lives in a shanty cooks beside a road in Manila, Philippines May 25, 2016. (Photo by Erik De Castro/Reuters)