Lion, Tiger, and Bear Share Lifelong Bond

They were together even as tiny cubs, found in Atlanta, Ga., during a police raid on the home of a drug baron. So perhaps that strange beginning helped forge this unusual friendship between Leo, Shere Khan and Baloo — a lion, a tiger and a bear.

Now, the trio lives together in their own purpose-built habitat at Noah’s Ark rescue center in Locust Grove, Ga., where they even have a creek to swim in.

They moved into the roughly $24,000 home after living with the zoo’s founders for eight years.

“To our knowledge, this is the only place where you’ll find this combination of animals together, they are our BLT, (bear, lion and tiger),” said Diane Smith, assistant director of the zoo at Noah’s Ark.

Visitors can watch the 1,000-pound bear, 350-pound lion and 350-pound tiger play together in the grass, or lounge on their porch.

Jama Hedgecloth, cofounder of the zoo, says the animals are “oblivious” to the fact that they wouldn’t be friends in nature. They share a bond that Hedgecloth and her husband Charles recognized early on.

“It is wonderful and magical to see a giant American black bear put his arm around a Bengal tiger and then to see the tiger nuzzle up to the bear like a domestic cat. When Leo wakes up, the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food.”

“Noah’s Ark is their home and they could not possibly be separated from each other.”

More from MNN.com:

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Endemic species: Top 9 lonely animals.

Lazarus species: 13 extinct animals found alive.

Read more: Behavior & Communication, Community, Do Good, Life, Pets

By Stephanie Rogers, MNN.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jenna L.

8:38AM PDT on Oct 4, 2011

they're so cute.. i wish there were videos!

send a green star

KS G.

6:29PM PDT on Aug 29, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Tim C.

9:58PM PDT on Aug 13, 2011

thanks

Elizabeth A.

12:53PM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

Great story!Great they can stay tether in Noah`s Ark!

12:52PM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

A great story,so happy they are together in Noah `Ark!

Cheryl B.

5:37AM PDT on Aug 12, 2011

Ishana M.

2:41AM PDT on Apr 14, 2011

相親相愛~牠們會健康快樂的!!謝謝您的分享~~

Jennia D.

3:45PM PDT on Apr 8, 2011

Lions, Tigers and Bears...Oh My!
Probably been said a million times already
but still one of the best lines in cinema.
Great article by the way. = ]

Tucker T.

2:28PM PDT on Apr 8, 2011

LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS OH MY!

WHAT A GREAT THING,WHAT A GREAT PLACE,WHAT A GREAT STORY,WHAT A GREAT TRIO!!!!!!
GO BLESS ALL OF THEM!!!!!!
GOD BLESS THIS PLACE AND THE PEOPLE WHO WON/RUN IT!!!!!!

IT IS HAAAAPY DANCE TIME!!!!!! :-))))))))))))))))))))))

Brenda T.

3:39AM PDT on Apr 8, 2011

What an amazing story.