Sofia The Lion Tamer Shows No Fear At Wellington Zoo In New Zealand (VIDEO)

Three-year-old Sofia isn't scared of much, and her father has video to prove it: The girl barely flinches when a lion paws against the glass at New Zealand's Wellington Zoo. Instead, she simply looks the oversized cat in the eyes and wonders what it's thinking.

Malik the lion had just been fed when Sofia and some other children approached the glass to take a look.

"Maybe it felt threatened that Sofia might try and take [the food] or that he preferred to eat her," dad Julian Walker told New Zealand's 3 News.

Despite her parents advice, Sofia remained pressed up against the glass, entranced by the animal, and Malik soon pounced at the glass again.

"Biggest paws ever!" an onlooker exclaims in the video, before Sofia is finally guided away from the display.

Walker told the New Zealand Herald that he admires Sofia's fearlessness toward the lion, but said that at this point, his daughter would rather be a fairy than a zookeeper.

Cafe Mom blogger Adriana Velez expresses her admiration for the young girl:

There's an element here to what I'd like to see in all girls growing up right now -- that fearlessness mixed with inquisitiveness. I can see Sofie growing up to be a biologist searching for poisonous snakes in the Amazon, or an investigative journalist, asking dangerous questions! Watch out world, Sofie is fierce.

Malik and the girl were separated by "three centimeters of resin-bonded glass," according to 3 News.

Sofia plans on returning to the zoo next month to celebrate her birthday.

Comments

[jparso3]

12:24 AM on 01/21/2012

The parents did tell her that they felt the lion wanted be left alone and they did take her away at the end so the lion could be in piece. I really feel by the reaction from the lions nose and facial movements he was not playing. i have seen similar expression from my house cat when he is annoyed.

[Mr Anonymous]

10:58 PM on 01/17/2012

I felt horrible watching this. That lion shouldn't be in there, and it looks like it doesn't want to. Besides, if you watch his eyes, you can see him watching the masses behind the little girl as well.

[andreabeth7]

03:18 AM on 01/18/2012

I agree. One of nature's most magnificent creatures being held captive in a glass enclosure and tormented by a little brat.

[FULL BIRD AF]

08:48 PM on 01/30/2012

Tormented???? Did we watch the same video?

[apdg]

12:03 AM on 01/16/2012

This really disturbed me. I found it unsettling to see the reaction or lack there of, from this child. I'm hoping the parents had a talk to her about how nature works and were exactly her place is in it. Actually, I hope to someone had a talk with the parents...

[Doeidgrl]

09:23 AM on 01/13/2012

I think the lion probably saw it's reflection in her glasses..

[Myrrhis]

02:36 AM on 01/13/2012

I'm sorry. Transfer that body language and those reactions to a house cat and that little girl was ignoring important signals. "Aw, he just wants to play!" No. That was not a play face. Nor was the constant, fixed stare (from the lion) one of fascination.

We do everyone a disservice when we allow children to misread and anthropomorphize animal behavior.

[Hpotterfan77]

07:54 PM on 01/13/2012

It's a zoo with a window...get a grip.

[FULL BIRD AF]

08:50 PM on 01/30/2012

LOL I agree

[phoebequeen]

09:28 PM on 01/12/2012

Wow. Good thing Harry Potter wasn't around .

[sameerel]

11:57 AM on 01/12/2012

That is one huge animal

[EStreetShuffler]

10:57 AM on 01/12/2012

Leo: Hey Malik, nice effort.

Malik: Shut up.

Leo: What was that little girl, two, three years old? She seemed terrified.

Malik: Dude, I wasn't even trying.

Leo: Uh-huh. Right.

Malik: You saw how I made that guy jump last week.

Leo: I must have missed that. You sure he wasn't hopping up and down with glee at the funny wittle wion?

Malik: Dude, I'm serious. I will go Simba on you in like five seconds.

Leo: Hey, that girl's back and she brought her baby sister. Go give them a giggle.

Malik: That's it. Let's go!

[Greenblue]

02:12 AM on 01/12/2012

Poor lion;(

[dyslexialogistics]

10:35 AM on 01/13/2012

I agree...such a beautiful animal and all it's dignity is stripped away as he is taunted behind the glass. I don't blame the cute little girl, she is just doing what we expect. The lion is clearly frustrated and his instincts are to go after prey.

[dil123]

09:31 PM on 01/11/2012

I think he's actually playing with her. His claws aren't extended or anything. He's well fed, I don't think he sees her as a threat. I have to give it to Sophia though, any other kid might run away but Sophia just kept returning to look at the lion more. It reminds me of Madeline.

[Mike Velez]

08:44 AM on 01/12/2012

I think he wants out of his "cage" and rather be free in the wild. Instead of having everyone stare and point at you all day long day after day. Free Malik.

[calisel99]

01:07 PM on 01/14/2012

most kids would be smarter than her

[ae12wrangell]

06:42 PM on 01/11/2012

If she were old enough, and from NYC., she might have said "Okay sucker! You want a piece of me? Bring it on! Let's see how tough you really are!"

[awesomenumber2]

06:16 PM on 01/11/2012

thats not that brave but she was smart to know that the lion cant reach her one smart kid

[lousackman420]

05:24 PM on 01/11/2012

Dumb article, let's see how fearless she is without that glass.

[nanaofmysky]

05:17 PM on 01/11/2012

Sofia is one brave little girl. Didn't see any boys that close to the lion. LOL You go girl.

[calisel99]

03:15 PM on 01/14/2012

sofia is one dumb little girl

[EStreetShuffler]

04:58 PM on 01/11/2012

"Kitty!"