With such a rich biodiversity, our planet is bound to have some unexpected bonds in the animal kingdom. Whether for survival or just companionship, these animals broke through their instincts and decided to change fate by fraternizing with another species.
Animal Bonds In Different Environments
Most instances of animal friendship are from domesticated animals with a common owner. This can range from everyday bonds like your cats and dogs, but it gets a little weirder when more exotic pets enter the picture. There are also some cases of animals in the wild getting along for one reason or another. Here are some of the weirdest examples.
A Bear, A Lion, And A Tiger
One of the most curious cases of an interspecies relationship involves not just two but three animals: a bear, a lion, and a tiger. This absurd combination was formed after the animals were rescued from a basement. The animals must have had no one else while locked up and had to rely on each other.
A Giraffe and Kudu
At Glen Afric, Broedestroom, South Africa, an unlikely couple just can’t get enough of each other. A giraffe named Camilla at the game reserve decided that she hadn’t seen enough of her friend – Charles, the Kudu. Game rangers noticed that both animals started spending more and more time together. It seems they have an inseparable bond that no one but them will ever quite understand.
Orangutan and A Dog
Near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, an animal bond has developed over more than seven years. An orangutan named Hanuman and a dog named Rosco have found the unlikeliest friendship. The two like to play together, and Hanuman even takes the hound, which was found at the wildlife park as a stray, for walks.
Marmoset and Capuchin Monkeys
Marmosets are some of the smallest primates in the world. They call Sao Paulo, Brazil, home. Researchers have noticed some strange behavior that shouldn’t normally happen. One day, they saw a capuchin monkey carrying a baby on her back, but it wasn’t the same species. The mother had adopted a baby marmoset and started raising her as her child.
A Tiger And An Orangutan
Most people would assume tigers wouldn’t get along with animals like orangutans. However, that’s exactly the case in Indonesia at the Taman Safari Animal Hospital. Because the animals there are growing up together, they have become fond of each other, with baby orangutans Irma and Nia even cuddling with tiger cubs Manis and Dema.
Tortoise And A Hippo
Lafarge Ecosystems’ sanctuary in Kenya has its dynamic duo that won’t let anything separate them. A giant tortoise named Mzee was rescued and brought to the sanctuary in 2004, where he met his future friend, Owen, the hippopotamus. The two met when Owen was just a baby, but since then, he’s grown up with Mzee looking out for him, or at least as much as a tortoise can.
A Sheep And An Elephant
Themba, the elephant’s story, started out tragic, with her mother dying when she was only six. She was sent to Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, where she found a sheep named Albert. The two didn’t get along initially, but as they got to know each other, they started going everywhere together. Albert’s even learned how to safely eat leaves by watching Themba.
Rhino And Sheep
Rhinos and sheep don’t sound like the best combination, but with rhino poaching so prevalent, caretakers have decided to put the orphaned offspring in with animals other animals. Sheep are the perfect friends because the young rhinos learn at a young age to follow by example. The sheep inadvertently teach the rhinos how to graze.
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10 Unbelievable, Unlikely Animal Friendships
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