tuancr7 2-3 minutes 9/9/2023
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Friendship knows no boundaries, whether of language, culture, distance or even species. While dogs and cats are often considered to be man’s best friends, Valentin Gruener, a wildlife enthusiast, has formed an extraordinary bond with a lion named Sirga. While most people would be intimidated by her size and power, Val considers Sirga to be one of the gentlest lions he has ever met. Their friendship is so strong that they joyfully jump into each other’s arms whenever they meet. A video of their heartwarming encounters went viral on TikTok, but Val warns that while Sirga is friendly and gentle with him, it could be dangerous for others to try and befriend her without the proper training and experience.
Introducing Sirga, the kind-hearted lioness, and Valentin, her favorite human and caregiver.
This is how Val recalls the story of their relationship. “It all started 10 years ago, when Sirga was no longer fed by her mother and I had to raise her by hand.”
Recently, their compilation of mutual hugs went viral on TikTok.
In the video, many instances were shown where Sirga enthusiastically meets Valentin.
Here is the video itself:
Sirga doesn’t understand the concept of social distancing. Luckily, it’s not necessary. #tiktokwildlifeday
Bear hugs!? Try a lion hug
Sirga is the only puppy who survived the first few days.
Sirga’s life circumstances were difficult at first. “Lioness Sirga was born on 25 February 2012, to wild lions captured after being identified as ‘problem animals’ on cattle ranches and kept and cared for on the property of the Grassland Bushman Lodge grounds, near Ghanzi in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, owned by Willie de Graaff, a cattle rancher and wildlife enthusiast.”
