Originally a local Massai man was suppose to do the wrestling scene with Zamba but at the last minute when he saw the lion he refused. So Ralph Helfer ended up doing the stunt. They had to dye his skin black, which didn't come off for three months.
While Ralph and Zamba were in Nairobi, Kenya filming the movie, they stayed at the magnificent "Mount Kenya Safari Club" which was owned by actor William Holden and his business partners.
Before Pamela Franklin did her famous wrestling scene with the lion Zamba, his owner and trainer Ralph Helfer took Pamela aside and told her when doing this scene not to have Zamba roll on top of her because he weighed 529 lbs. After the scene was completed everyone applauded.