Ralph Helfer (born April 9, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American ethologist, creator of Marine World/Africa USA, and author of books about animals.
During these years, Helfer created what he called "affection training", which purported to replace the whip, gun, and chair of the old-school handlers with love, understanding, and respect.
[3] The Gentle Jungle Affection Training School was based in Colton, California and later in Lion Country Safari, in Orange County.
Gentle Jungle was investigated by the USDA, resulting in an eventual lawsuit against Helfer for Animal Welfare Act violations.
Toni Ringo Helfer (d. March 20, 2012) published the book The Gentle Jungle (Brigham Young University Press - 1980 - ISBN 0-8425-1790-1).
Tana Helfer played the role of Kristie in Savage Harvest and was the subject of the book When you fight the tiger by Joan Hewett (Little, Brown and Company - 1984 - ISBN 0-316-35956-4).