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This Lioness Repays Her Caregiver Of 10 Years With Hugs And Cuddles Interview
276Kviews Hidrėlėy
Pro member No matter the language, culture, distance, and even species, friendship knows no bounds. While most pet owners rant and rave about dogs and cats being a man's best friend, Valentin Gruener, a wildlife enthusiast, has a friend of another caliber, one which would probably paralyze many with fear if she even opened her mouth to say "Hello!" Val can safely say that his best friend is a lion named Sirga. Their special bond is so great, they leap at each other every time they meet each other. Somebody managed to record these heartfelt encounters, and it, deservedly I might add, went viral on TikTok for all the right reasons. To Val, Sirga is perhaps the gentlest of lions out there, but he doesn't recommend trying to befriend her, for it might have serious consequences: "she is always gentle and friendly despite her size. But I am the only one interacting with her. It would be dangerous for people who she is not used to." More info: Instagram Instagram tiktok.com patreon.com Facebook sirgathelioness.com Meet Sirga the gentle lioness and Valentin her favorite human and caregiver
Image credits: sirgathelioness Here's how Val remembers the story of their acquaintance. "It started 10 years ago when Sirga was not fed by her mother anymore and I had to hand-raise her." Just recently their compilation of mutual hugs became viral on TikTok
In the video many instances were shown where Sirga excitedly meets Valentin
Here s the video itself
@sirgathelioness Sirga doesn't understand the concept of social distancing. Luckily, she doesn't have to. #tiktokwildlifeday ♬ Oh No I Hope I Don't Fall… – IndieHay Bear hugs Try a lion hug
Image credits: sirgathelioness Sirga is the only cub that survived the early days
Image credits: sirgathelioness The life circumstances for Sirga were difficult at first. "Sirga the lioness was born on February 25, 2012, to wild lions captured after being identified as 'problem animals' in livestock areas who were held and cared for at the property of Grassland Bushman Lodge grounds, near Ghanzi, in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, owned by Willie de Graaff, a cattle rancher and wildlife enthusiast." Image credits: sirgathelioness Her mother refused to feed her and that s where Valentin started taking care of her
Image credits: sirgathelioness They formed an immediate bond
Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness At that time the Sirga started forming her habbit of hugging Valentin
Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness Sirga grew and grew over the years
Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness As she was maturing their bonds grew even stronger
Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness Image credits: sirgathelioness They became acquainted 10 years ago and their friendship moved leaps and bounds since then
Image credits: sirgathelioness Nowadays Sirga and Valentin chill at the 2000 hectare reservation made just for her
Image credits: sirgathelioness But now, Sirga has her own territory to rule over. Her kingdom has little conflict, and is very peaceful. "Today she lives in a 2000 ha reserve specially set up for her where she can hunt and live as freely as possible under her circumstances. I am still around for her on a daily basis. I am living in the middle of the bush in Botswana together with Sirga." Image credits: sirgathelioness There they mostly chill in the shade walk around Sirga s dominion and of course cuddle
Image credits: sirgathelioness Valentin Grüner says the experience of taking care of Sirga was very transformative to him as an individual. "I've always loved animals but Sirga changed my life forever. Being responsible for her is still teaching me on a daily basis what it means to really be there for another being. I will continue to be by her side and to fight for the survival of her wild relatives for as long as I live." Image credits: sirgathelioness Obligatory silly best bud selfie
Image credits: sirgathelioness They are BFFs
Image credits: sirgathelioness For him, the secret to taking care of such a strong, big and wild animal is "a lot of love and time. My girlfriend also helps a lot with all the other animals. But in the past 12 years I haven't had a holiday yet – no regrets, though." Anyone can write on Bored Panda. Start writing! Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! 276Kviews Share on Facebook Hidrėlėy Follow Unfollow Hidrėlėy Author, Pro member Fascinated by music, movies and sitcoms, I'm passionate about social media and can't live without the internet, especially for all the cute dog and cat pictures out there. I wish the day had about 40 hours to be able to do everything I want. Read more » Titas Burinskas Follow Unfollow Titas Burinskas Moderator, Community member This dude right here? He works as a Community Manager at Bored Panda. Has no back-story, cause his spine works just fine. He writes about himself in third-person, and in first-person about others. Fell in love with storytelling and cannot let that love go. Now, he's here to help you make your own story simply beautiful. Secretly makes cute music samples and writes stories in the dark that nobody has ever heard of before. Read more » Show All Contributors Get the latest inspiring stories via our awesome iOS app! Download Bored Panda app! 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They already there and beyond 30 30points reply Titas Burinskas Titas Burinskas BoredPanda Staff • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Changed it so it reflects the truth. Preach 8 8points reply Load More Replies... Michelle A Michelle A Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Thats so beautiful and sweet! The bond, trust and familiarity that developed over time...man. Such a majestic and beautiful animal! Please dont try this at home people. Absolutely NO ONE SHOULD ATTEMPT THIS! Please, please, please dont support the trade of exotic animals. Sigra has a preserve all for her in her native land and clearly she has been well taken care of. May you remain friends till the end! 26 26points reply Joan Zatorski Joan Zatorski Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Amen. Perfectly expressed. 6 6points reply Load More Replies... Carsten Petersen Carsten Petersen Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago He is her parent - why wouldn't she be excited to see him :-D 10 10points reply Load More Comments POST Fluffyfloofyraptors Fluffyfloofyraptors Community Member • points posts comments upvotes 10 months ago >They are BFFs in the making Nope. They already there and beyond 30 30points reply Titas Burinskas Titas Burinskas BoredPanda Staff • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Changed it so it reflects the truth. Preach 8 8points reply Load More Replies... Michelle A Michelle A Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Thats so beautiful and sweet! The bond, trust and familiarity that developed over time...man. Such a majestic and beautiful animal! Please dont try this at home people. Absolutely NO ONE SHOULD ATTEMPT THIS! Please, please, please dont support the trade of exotic animals. Sigra has a preserve all for her in her native land and clearly she has been well taken care of. May you remain friends till the end! 26 26points reply Joan Zatorski Joan Zatorski Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago Amen. Perfectly expressed. 6 6points reply Load More Replies... Carsten Petersen Carsten Petersen Community Member • points posts comments upvotes FollowUnfollow 10 months ago He is her parent - why wouldn't she be excited to see him :-D 10 10points reply Load More Comments Popular on Bored Panda I Used AI To See What These 23 Popular Cartoon Characters Would Look Like In Real Life 30 Y.O. 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