Ukrainian Living with Lions [PHOTOS]

Zoo owner Pylyshenko looks on inside a cage with female African lion Katya at a private zoo situated in his yard in Vasilyevka

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko looks out from between bars of a cage, next to female African lion Katya, at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner Pylyshenko strokes female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in Vasilyevka

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko strokes female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner Pylyshenko kisses female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in Vasilyevka

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko kisses female African lion Katya inside a cage with at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko strokes female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner Pylyshenko sits inside a cage with female African lion Katya at a private zoo situated in his yard in Ukraine

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko sits inside a cage with female African lion Katya at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner Pylyshenko lies next to female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in Vasilyevka

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko lies next to female African lion Katya inside a cage at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)

Zoo owner and artist Aleksandr Pylyshenko sits inside a cage with female African lion Katya, at a private zoo situated in his yard in the city of Vasilyevka, southeastern Ukraine August 3, 2011. Pylyshenko decided to spend five weeks in a cage with a pair of African lions, Katya and Samson, to get money for improving the lions' living conditions, according to local media. He is broadcasting it on internet to attract the public's attention to plight of wild animals in private Ukrainian zoos, which do not get enough fundings. (Source: Reuters Date:08/04/2011)