Lion and Meerkat friendship echoes The Lion King

A lion who was rejected by its mother has stuck up a friendship with a meerkat. The pair have been inseparable since new-born lioness Zinzi was rescued by being taken into the home of zoo and safari ranch owner Marcell Tournier, 33. The friendship echoes the partnership between Simba, the lion cub hero of Disney classic The Lion King and Timon.

Mr Tournier added: "Bob the meerkat seems to have a "Hakuna Matata" problem-free philosophy and taught Zinzi how to relax." Zinzi was brought in at just one day old when Marcell realised her mother was refusing to feed her a harsh reality of nature that could have meant the end of adorable Zinzi.

But almost as soon as the lion had moved in to the home, near Sun City, South Africa, Mr Tournier quickly realised he wasn't Zinzi's only fan. Lively two-year-old Bob instantly took a shine to his new playmate. Amazingly Bob began following his much bigger friend day and night and would even snuggle in at nap time.

Bob likes having anything cute and cuddly around," said Mr Tournier. "If it'll lie down and cuddle him he will love it. The pair quickly formed an unlikely friendship and were soon doing everything together. The pair live on the sprawling Predator World Zoo and Game Farm, which covers 1,000 hectares in the country's north-west.