Noah's Ark Animal SanctuaryA lion, tiger and a bear have formed a ‘brotherly bond’ after a traumatic experience in their early lives.
The adorable trio of friends, known as ‘The BLT’, were rescued from a basement in Atlanta during a drugs raid and brought to the Noah’s Ark Wildlife Sanctuary in Georgia, in 2001, the Mirror report.
The three starving cubs were all malnourished and underweight after they were found cowering in small cages underneath the house.
Noah's Ark Animal SanctuaryThe animals were in a sorry state when they were found with the tiger, Shere Khan, infected with internal and external parasites when he was rescued. While Leo, the lion, came in with an infected wound on his nose from where he had been confined to a small crate.
Finally the bear, Baloo, was in the worst state, with a harness cutting into his flesh because it had not been loosened as he grew in size.
Noah's Ark Animal SanctuaryBut thanks to the animal sanctuary’s expert care and plenty of good food, the trio were soon happy and healthy again.
Most surprisingly though the unlikely friends have formed a tight bond, despite their differences, and the trio have been inseparable for the last 15 years.
Noah's Ark Animal SanctuaryA Noah’s Ark Sanctuary spokesperson said:
Baloo, Leo and Shere Khan eat, sleep, and play together and even seek out grooming and affection from one another, head rubbing and licking each another.
Their terrifying early months in life bonded the three together and they are truly inseparable despite their obvious differences.
Well that’s my heart warmed for the rest of the week…
More of a concept than a journalist, Tom Percival was forged in the bowels of Salford University from which he emerged grasping a Masters in journalism.
Since then his rise has been described by himself as ‘meteoric’ rising to the esteemed rank of Social Editor at UNILAD as well as working at the BBC, Manchester Evening News, and ITV.
He credits his success to three core techniques, name repetition, personality mirroring, and never breaking off a handshake.