The Stories Behind 9 Rare Vintage Photos Of Big Cats

• 01

  Puma Binge Watch

  
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  1955: Kiba, a South American puma sleeping in the front room of her master's home, while the family watches television.

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• 02

  Little R&R

  
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  1939: Habiba, a 10-year-old lion at Chessington Zoo in Surrey, relaxes while keeper Hans Brick manipulates its hind legs.

• 03

  Winston Churchill is meeting with a lion

  
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  July 1943: British wartime prime minister Winston Churchill with his wife Clementine holding a lion cub during a trip to London Zoo.

• 04

  Morning Routine

  
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  December 1936: George 'Tornado' Smith cleaning the teeth of his pet lioness, Briton, at the Kursaal amusement park in Southend, Essex. Smith is a stunt motorcycle rider on the wall of death sideshow at the park and Briton features in his act, riding in a sidecar.

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• 05

  Give a Cat a Bone

  
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  June 1956: A three-month-old tiger cub abandoned by her mother at birth tackles a bone at the London Zoo.

• 06

  Lounging Lion

  
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  1930: A lion lies on a couch while his trainer kneels beside him.

• 07

  Tiger Weigh In

  
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  July 1960: Frank Meakins weighs Doreen and Julie, twin tiger cubs, born at the Whipsnade Zoo, in May.

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• 08

  Bath Time

  
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  1940: Melvin Koaants cleaning the African Lion at Los Angeles Zoo.

• 09

  Stare Down

  
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  June 1928: In the same cage, a lion and a tiger are outstaring each other.

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