The story of lion house owners Rolland and Sheila Stevenson was written primarily to dispel a long time of rumors that swirled across the couple’s two African lions, who lived in Apple Valley within the early ‘60s. 

One rumor was that the “getting old couple with dementia” forgot to feed lions, “Numo” and “Tyki.” Throughout a second of readability, the couple entered the cage with meals and had been eaten alive by the large cats. 

One other rumor was that the lions escaped their pens and went on a human and animal killing spree in rural Apple Valley. That ended when a gaggle of armed residents hunted the lions and shot them lifeless.

Not one of the rumors got here near what occurred to the couple and in addition their pet lions, who had been ultimately destroyed after a number of assaults. 

Rolland and Sheila Stevenson

In 1953, instantly after graduating from Kramer Excessive College in Columbus, Nebraska, Rolland Stevenson enlisted within the Navy and served aboard the USS Canberra till he retired in 1957. When he returned stateside at age 25, Stevenson started working as a lumberjack and tamer of massive cats for the circus. 

In 1960, Stevenson moved to California, the place he met Sheila Kathleen Moore, 21, on the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Hollywood. Sheila taught dance classes.

Throughout Sheila’s childhood, her household moved often between California and Mexico, and at one level owned a mining enterprise in Mexico. Whereas serving to function the varied household companies through the years, Sheila additionally educated canine, performed acoustic guitar and loved singing and enjoying in a neighborhood band.

After the 2 married on Sept. 2, 1960 on the Little Nation Church in Hollywood, the Stevensons settled down in a quiet neighborhood in Inglewood, a rising metropolis with lower than 70,000 residents in Los Angeles County.

Hungry lions, scared neighbors

With expertise in elevating and coaching animals, the Stevesons traveled to the Thousand Oaks Jungleland theme park, the place they bought two black-maned African lion cubs — “Numo,” named after Tarzan’s pet, and the lion’s half brother, “Tyki.” 

Every little thing was peaceable across the Stevenson’s neighborhood till residents and legislation enforcement officers turned involved when 5-month-old Tyki received greater and extra aggressive and 11-month-old Numo began roaring and devouring seven kilos of meat per day, the San Bernardino County Solar reported.

Police deputy Ed Branson visited the Stevenson’s dwelling after the lions reportedly scared neighbors, made meter readers “scream like banshees” and frightened mail carriers.

“Sure, we’ve received a lion. Two of them,” sighed Mrs. Stevenson, as she checked out Branson whereas Tyki performed at her ft. “The older one is in his pen out again.”

Because the Inglewood Metropolis Council started discussing a proposed animal ordinance to presumably oust the lions, the Stevensons determined it was time to maneuver.

African lions in Apple Valley

In 1961, the Stevensons settled in Apple Valley, a quiet desert abode with lower than 9,000 folks, no prying neighbors and loads of outside house. 

The couple bought a house and 10 acres of land close to the southwest nook of Deep Creek and Rock Springs roads, Hesperia resident William “Peter” Peterson advised the Day by day Press.

The Stevensons additionally constructed two, 100-foot spherical chain hyperlink fence pens, the place Rolland would prepare Numo and Tyki.

Rolland would take Numo to carry out at carnivals, festivals, nightclubs and different websites. He additionally waited for Tyki to succeed in coaching age earlier than he would let the younger lion carry out, based on Peterson.

Each lions slept within the couple’s storage and took walks on leashes the place the younger cats would tumble and study to stalk and leap on their prey. 

In 1962, the lions had been common guests on the San Bernardino County Library’s Bookmobile when it stopped in Hesperia, Petersons stated. 

Shut encounters with the kings of the jungle

The Stevensons obtained a library card for “Numo,” who checked out books with titles equivalent to “Monitoring the Huge Cats,” “The Sleepy Lion,” “My Life with the Huge Cats” and “The Joyful Lion,” The San Bernardino County Solar reported.

Throughout a vacation kiddie present in December 1962, on the now-shuttered George Air Pressure Base, a frightened “Numo the Dandy Lion” froze in entrance of the viewers, The Solar reported.

A shocked Rolland watched as the large cat started growling on the 900 cheering kids and 250 mother and father who gathered for the occasion on the Desert Crossroads Recreation Heart.

“The poor cat appeared scared to dying” based on Workers Sgt. Dean Schultz, who oversaw the middle. 

“It was at the moment that Rolland first feared Numo,” Peterson stated. “He feared him, however that did not cease him from taking him out to carry out.”

Displaying lions, promoting firewood

The couple would promote firewood by promoting Stevenson’s “Huge Cat” Woodyard positioned on the nook of Deep Creek and Rock Springs roads in Apple Valley.

A typical Day by day Press newspaper advert would learn, “Ask in regards to the Huge Cat particular,” with firewood for $31.50 per twine, plus tax and free supply. Name CH 7-8124 and keep in mind, “We’re on a celebration line.”

In 1963, Numo weighed 350 kilos with Tyki topping the size at practically 150 kilos. Rolland stated his two affectionate “large pets are actually as mild as kittens.”

A person of religion, Rolland additionally created a “rugged cross” of pinon pine to be the middle of an Ascension Lutheran Church Easter dawn service at Sycamore Rocks in Apple Valley, the Day by day Press reported. 

Paul Johnson, of Hinkley, advised the Day by day Press that residents from all around the Excessive Desert would cease by Stevenson’s property to catch a glimpse of the large cats. 

“Stevenson bought wooden and confirmed off his lions at that nook, and one among his neighbors even had a chinchilla ranch,” Johnson stated. “That nook was fairly the attraction.”

Tyki attracts blood

After 1963, Tyki is just not talked about in any information publication and three years later, the final advert for Stevenson’s “Huge Cat” Woodyard appeared within the Day by day Press.

Johnson advised the Day by day Press {that a} buddy and enterprise accomplice of Rolland shot and killed Tyki after he attacked the proprietor.

“Sooner or later, the lion turned on Rolland and mauled him a bit, however it wasn’t too dangerous,” stated Johnson, who was born on the Johnson Turkey Ranch on Deep Creek Street. “The lion turned more and more aggressive after that and he was afraid to convey it out for reveals.”

In 2022, William Peterson, 86, advised the Day by day Press that he was the person who shot and killed Tyki after the lion attacked Rolland, “drew blood and went loopy.”

“Rolland got here pounding on my door early within the morning and questioned if I’d come down and shoot the lion,” Peterson advised the Day by day Press. “The lions had been stored in a conveyable cage with a plywood roof and Rolland was afraid that Tyki would possibly get out into the neighborhood.”

After the lion was killed, Peterson was given Tyki’s head and pelt with plans to have the animal taxidermied.

“I had it in a field in a barn in Victorville and any individual stole it,” Peterson stated. “I had it for fairly some time.”

Nebraska sure, Numo assaults

In 1966, the Stevensons moved to the Columbus, Nebraska space the place Rolland continued to have the practically 600-pound Numo carry out at colleges, carnivals, and festivals by way of the Gem Worldwide Circus, The Alliance Day by day Occasions-Herald reported.

Throughout a circus act in July 1966, a shocked crowd watched as Numo clawed Rolland’s again and sank his sharp fangs into his left arm, The Time Herald reported. 

In keeping with Rolland’s spouse, who assisted throughout performances, a flash of sunshine at the highschool stadium scared Numo, who reverted to his jungle instincts. 

Numo launched Rolland after Sheila known as Numo and waved a hoop at him.

A health care provider used 18 stitches to patch up Rolland’s arm. He would spend the afternoon hospitalized, earlier than returning to carry out with Numo.

Rolland defined that “as soon as a cat activates his coach” excessive warning have to be exercised.

Later that month, Numo attacked Rolland’s father, Charles Stevenson, 61. The large cat practically tore the person’s arm off, The Occasions Herald reported. 

The incident started when a light-weight rain began falling on the household farm and Charles Stevenson and his daughter-in-law, Sheila, went to cowl Numo’s cage. As the 2 started masking the cage, Numo shortly reached out and clawed the arm of Charles Stevenson. 

Sheila took a wood 2-by-4 and beat Numo, who ultimately launched her father-in-law. 

‘Grumpy Numo’ despatched to zoo

In August 1966, a “grumpy” Numo retired from present enterprise.

“I really feel we can’t proceed the act with the concern that my spouse or I is likely to be significantly injured or —presumably—killed,” Rolland advised the Time Herald. “So far as I’m involved, and I don’t assume I’ll change my thoughts, we’ll by no means enter the world with this animal once more.”

On the time, Numo was one of many few male African black-maned lions in captivity, based on Rolland. 

Peterson stated Rolland advised him that Numo was ultimately put down by zoo officers.

“Lions are wild animals and might solely be domesticated a lot earlier than intuition takes over,” Peterson stated. “They had been stunning animals, and Rolland and Sheila had been fantastic folks.”

With the lions gone, the Stevensons moved to Columbus, Nebraska, then later Richland, the place they established and operated Nebraskaland Kennels for over 15 years.

Day by day Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz could also be reached at 760-951-6227 or [email protected]. Observe him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz