Don’t try this at home. Dean Schneider lives in an animal sanctuary in South Africa. He was born in Switzerland and launched the Hakuna Mipaka project at age 24. Dean says, “I am a member of a lion pride, a hyena’s best friend and a daddy of two monkeys.” Dean Schneider can get away with wrestling with the enormous beasts as a member of the lion pride. So, again, please don’t try this at home.
Dean Schneider lives and works with lions and other animals at the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis, which means “No Limits.” The 400-hectare (988.4 acres) oasis is home to Dean and thousands of wild animals. His home is not open to the public. Some species living in the protected African wilderness include giraffes, antelopes, wildebeests, baboons, leopards, hyenas, and a wide variety of snakes, reptiles, and birds.
![Dean Schneider and a lion sharing a gentle moment at the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis sanctuary.](https://www.inspiremore.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Dean-Schneider-Lion-Cuddling.jpg)
Dean lives closely with the animals and has a special relationship with them. He emphasizes that his sanctuary is not like your local petting zoo. The animals are all wild, and there is always a risk during his interactions with them. Dean Schneider has a commitment to educating the world about animals and their importance in our world. His YouTube channel has many videos about his interactions to bring people closer to his world. In each, he stresses that these animals are not pets. It takes a lot of training and patience to get to the level he is at with them.
Dean Schneider actively works on conservation and education programs around South Africa. Learn more about Dean Schneider’s projects on the Hakuna Mipaka Oasis website. You can also catch his video presentations on YouTube to relax and enjoy watching him interact with the animals.
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