GuZoo never promotes lions and tigers or other wild animals as pets. Yes, we hand raise them, and yes they are cute and cuddly and relatively safe as infants. But wild animals, are wild animals. As "tame" and kind as a young lion may be at 2 months, 6 months or even 12 months of age, the nature of the beast is still intact. Upon sexual maturity, most species have a sudden change in behavior. This change is often aggressive and unpredictable. Hormones, territorial instinct and the ingrained desire to become Alfa of the pack can make a large, or even a small animal, dangerous. Also don't forget, when dealing with carnivores, their natural instinct to hunt and chase makes them very dangerous especially when small children are present. No, wild animals are not pets. The handling of wild animals into adulthood should be left in the hands of trained professionals.
Having said that, I know there are many, many people who have exotic animals in their house or keep their "pets" in a manner where they interact with them without physical restraint or barriers (such a bars, fencing etc.). We acknowledge that this is indeed done, and in hundreds of cases, seemingly done safely and without consequence. However, in our walk of life, we have not met any single person who handles exotic animals who can claim to never have had an "accident" with them. By accident I mean, blood, stitches or hospitalization. When dealing with animals, exotic or otherwise, there is always risk. Even with animals as common as horses. People get hurt.