Here is a friend of mine in Missouri. He raised this lion from a cub. Current weight 700+ lbs.
No mane as he was neutered at about six weeks.

A friend of mine had an African Lion that he raised from a 6 week old cub. He had all four paws declawed, and Elliot was a very well-trained and friendly cat, but his eyes were like Lasers and seemed to burn right through a person.

I did hand feed him several times, and he liked to be kissed on the nose. Let me tell you, the first time I had physical contact with Elliot, my "pucker string" was pulled pretty tight.

He was friendly enough, and gentle enough but a simple "playful swat" with a declawed paw convinced me that I'd never let my guard down around him. The power of a mature male lion is awe inspiring!

To let several fully intact lions pile on is nothing more than delayed suicide!

Excuse me, do you have any grey poupon? ROARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

In this case it isn't that it takes balls to do this, but, the lack of brains, that makes one do it!

............The Darwin theory at work!

IMO, the end result of this activity will look a little like Timothy Tredwell, petting the brown bears! They invited him and his girl friend to dinner, as the main course!