As children, we go to the zoo and imagine what it would be like to have the various wild animals as pets. One animal in particular that always amazed me was the lion. What would it be like to cuddle with a lion?
Valentin Gruener has become famous for just that. He’s known for his loving relationship with a young lioness. While their friendship has become a media spectacle, their bond has remained strong over the years. The relationship is unlike any we’ve seen before, truly transcending all the boundaries that we’ve known between humans and animals.
Because Sirga was abandoned by her pride in Botswana, she never got the chance to learn to hunt from fellow lions. Gruener has spent countless hours lying low in wild brush and leaping into water to demonstrate how it’s done.
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Here, they patiently wait for the perfect time to pounce.
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She did it! The young lioness caught a toad and boastfully carried it around in her mouth.
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With all that hunting out of the way, there’s plenty of time for some horsing around, too!
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The story of the incredible relationship is being captured on film in a documentary.
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Gruener watches on protectively as a veterinarian administers care to Sirga.
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The pair is truly a sight to see together. They share an incredibly special bond that most people wouldn’t believe was possible.
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When they play together it’s like Sirga is just an oversized house cat.
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Because of him, Sirga will someday be able to fend for herself in the wild – hunting her own food. Hopefully, she’ll eventually start a family of her own.
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You can watch more of their incredible relationship below:
(via Daily Mail)
Gruener is living his childhood dream to roam in the wild with lions. At the same time, he’s freeing one from a life of captivity. Sirga, without a doubt, won’t forget her human teacher and friend.
Keep an eye out for the documentary series titled “Lionheart,” which is scheduled to be released later this year. It’s sure to be an incredible story.
