Jeff Lowe owns the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, one of the largest private zoos in the world. The 51-year-old has rescued and protected more than 500 wild animals, from tigers and lions to bears and crocodiles. /CFP Photo

Jeff is painfully aware of how dangerous these animals can be. He has been put in hospital twice as a result of tussles with the creatures, had a total of 400 stitches and had fingers bitten off and sewn back on. Lauren Dropla, Jeff’s fiancé, feels the same affection for the wild animals and offers a helping hand with park maintenance. /CFP Photo

Jeff spends his days closely interacting with the most dangerous animals, walking them on leads inside his house and playing in and around their enclosures. He even drives the smaller tigers to the vets in his Ferrari. /CFP Photo