Tipping the scales at almost twice the weight of heavyweight boxer Wladimir Klitschko – and the de facto King of the Jungle – a male lion isn’t an animal to be messed with.

Or so you’d think.

But just as few would have 6ft 6ins champion pugilist Klitschko down as a chess player, it appears this particular beast is a softie at heart, too.

In the film, Taariq, a four-year old lion, can be seen rolling around on his back as he receives a foot-rub from his owner and handler, Justin Fernandes.

The footage was filmed at the lion’s home – Jugomaro Predator Park near Groblersdal, South Africa.

According to the person who uploaded the film, Taariq and Justin have been best friends since Taariq was a tiny cub.

Not all lions are friendly though – in September a group of tourists got the fright of their lives when a huge cat hitched a ride on the back of a safari park truck in South Africa.