Incredible Photos Of A Family That Lived With A Pet

No matter how much we love the wild animals, we may never truly understand how their minds work. A trip to Africa by actress Tipi Hedren, Noel Marshal, her husband and actress Melanie Griffith their daughter, made them want to create a movie lions. This was after some advice by an animal trainer named Ron Oxley, who told them that "to get to know about lions, you've got to live with them for a while." The family started living with Neil the lion and Michael Rougier, Life photographer, documented their life.

Neil the lion with Hedren as she reads a newspaper. Image source: MICHAEL ROUGIER/TIME & LIFE PICTURES

According to the photos taken, their life with Neil was great. The movie however, which the family went on to make, was a different story. Melanie was attacked by one of the lionesses and had to get 50 facial stitches while cinematographer Jan De Bont's scalp was sewn back on after he was bitten by a lion. The 150 predatory cats that were cast in the movie 'Roar' wounded 70 people. The cost of production was $ 17.5 million althouhg the movie grossed only over $2 million.

Hedren wrestles with Neil. Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

After completing production of 'Roar',Hedren founded an animal sanctuary, Shambala Preserve, to protect neglected and mistreated exotic animals

Image source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Neil grabs Melanie's leg as she jump into the pool. Image Source : MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Neil sleeps in bed with Melanie. Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Image Source : MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Griffith in a swimming pool with Neil. Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Neil Playing a child by the poolside. Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

Would you work while a lion sits close? Image Source: MICHAEL ROUGIER / TIME & LIFE PICTURES

[Source: www.mashable.com, www.theguardian.com]