Introduction: Animals have the unique ability to form bonds and friendships with creatures that are completely different from themselves. Whether it’s due to shared living conditions or simply a desire for companionship, animals of different species have been known to become close friends in the wild, in captivity, and even in domestic settings. The following is a list of 10 unlikely animal friendships that will surprise and delight you.
- Koko the Gorilla and her kittens: Koko, the famous sign-language using gorilla, formed an unlikely friendship with a litter of kittens in the 1980s. Koko was given a box of kittens as a birthday present and immediately fell in love with them. She treated them with the same gentle care as she would her own offspring, even though she was over 10 times their size. Koko would cuddle and groom the kittens, and they would snuggle up to her for warmth. This unlikely friendship shows that animals can form emotional bonds with creatures that are completely different from themselves.
- Owen the Hippo and Mzee the Tortoise: Owen, a young hippopotamus, was orphaned by the 2004 tsunami in Kenya and was taken in by the Haller Park Sanctuary. There, he formed an unlikely friendship with Mzee, a 130-year-old giant tortoise. The two became inseparable, with Owen following Mzee everywhere he went. They even slept together, with Owen resting his head on Mzee’s shell. Their unlikely friendship captured the hearts of people all over the world.
- Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the Dog: Suryia, an orangutan living in a South Carolina sanctuary, became fast friends with Roscoe, a stray dog who wandered onto the sanctuary’s grounds. The two bonded over their love of playing in water and would spend hours splashing and swimming together. Suryia even learned to imitate Roscoe’s movements, copying his doggy paddles in the water. Their unlikely friendship proves that animals of different species can have a lot in common.
- Anjana the Chimpanzee and Her Tiger Cubs: Anjana, a chimpanzee living at a wildlife preserve in South Carolina, became a surrogate mother to two white tiger cubs after their birth mother was unable to care for them. Anjana was tasked with feeding the cubs, bathing them, and even tucking them into bed at night. Despite the differences in their species, Anjana showed a remarkable ability to care for the tiger cubs as if they were her own.
- Bubbles the Elephant and Bella the Black Labrador: Bubbles, an African elephant living at the Myrtle Beach Safari wildlife preserve, became close friends with Bella, a black Labrador retriever. The two would play together, with Bubbles even allowing Bella to ride on her back. They would cuddle and groom each other, and Bella would even help Bubbles cool off by splashing water on her with a hose. Their unlikely friendship shows that animals can form bonds with creatures that are vastly different from themselves.
- Christian the Lion and His Human Friends: Christian the lion was a popular attraction at Harrods department store in London in the 1960s. When he grew too big to be kept in the store, Christian was released into the wild in Kenya. However, his former owners decided to visit him a year later and were amazed to find that Christian had not only survived in the wild, but had formed a pride of his own. Even more remarkable was the reunion that took place when his former owners returned a year after that. Christian ran up to them and embraced them, showing that animals are capable of forming deep emotional bonds with humans.
- Kumbali the Cheetah and Kago the Dog: Kumbali, a cheetah cub, was abandoned by his mother and was taken in by the Metro Richmond Zoo in Virginia. There, he was introduced to Kago, a Labrador retriever puppy, who would become his best friend. Kumbali and Kago would play together, snuggle up together to sleep, and even groom each other. Their unlikely friendship shows that even the fastest land animal can have a soft spot for man’s best friend.
- Suryia the Orangutan and Roscoe the Blue Tick Hound: Suryia, an orangutan living at a wildlife preserve in South Carolina, became friends with Roscoe, a Blue Tick Hound who belonged to one of the preserve’s employees. Suryia and Roscoe would play together, cuddle, and even swim together. Their unlikely friendship shows that animals are capable of forming bonds that transcend species boundaries.
- Mabel the Hen and her Puppies: Mabel, a hen living on a farm in England, became a surrogate mother to a litter of puppies after their mother died. The puppies snuggled up to Mabel to keep warm, and she even taught them how to eat and drink. Mabel’s motherly instincts kicked in, and she took care of the puppies as if they were her own chicks. This unlikely friendship shows that animals can form bonds that go beyond their own species.
- Tinni the Dog and Sniffer the Wild Fox: Tinni, a German Shepherd living in Norway, became friends with Sniffer, a wild fox, after they met in the woods. Their friendship began when Tinni’s owner, Torgeir Berge, started photographing the two playing together. The photos became so popular that Berge published a book about Tinni and Sniffer’s friendship, and they became ambassadors for the protection of wild foxes. Their unlikely friendship shows that even animals that are typically seen as enemies can form close bonds under the right circumstances.
Conclusion: These ten unlikely animal friendships show that animals are capable of forming bonds that transcend their own species. From a hippo and a tortoise to a cheetah and a dog, these animals show that love and friendship can be found in the most unexpected places. These friendships also show that animals are capable of complex emotions and behaviors, and that they are deserving of our respect and protection.
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