Friendship has no boundaries, regardless of language, culture, geography, or even species.
While the majority of pet owners scream and rave about how dogs and cats are a man’s best friend, wildlife enthusiast Valentin Gruener has a friend of a different caliber.
It is safe to assume that Sirga the lion is Val’s best buddy. Every time they see one other, they leap at each other because of their special connection.
Val believes that Sirga is maybe the kindest lion there is, yet he advises against making an attempt to befriend her because it could have damaging consequences:
“She is always gentle and friendly despite her size. But I am the only one interacting with her. It would be dаngеrous for people who she is not used to.
This is how Val recalls the story of their meeting: “It started ten years ago when Sirga was not fed by her mother anymore, and I had to hand-raise her.”
“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.”
Valentin began looking after her when her mother stopped providing food for her.
They got along well right away. At that point, the Sirga began to make hugs for Valentin a habit.
