Bear, lion and tiger form an unlikely, lasting friendship. Awwwwww

They are meant to be enemies out in the wild but a bear, lion and a tiger have forged a touching, unlikely friendship that would make anyone go 'Awwwww'.

Baloo the bear, Leo the Lion and Shere Khan the tiger were rescued after they were found in an Atlanta home's basement during a police drug raid in 2001.

They were all just a few months old at the time. All three cubs were frightened, malnourished and infected with internal and external parasites.

The trio, who are now known as BLT (which stands for bear, lion, tiger), were then brought to Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, a non-profit organisation in Georgia.

They now live in the same enclosure, which is the only one believe to house a bear, lion and tiger.

Since then, they have enjoyed a strong rapport and are often seen sharing intimate moments with each other. Baloo the bear is the "leader" while the tiger is seen as the wild child, according to Diane Smith, the assistant director of Noah's Ark.

 

"They are totally oblivious to the face that in any other circumstance they would not be friends," said Ms Smith.

The only time the three animals were separated was when Baloo the bear had to go for surgery in the months following their rescue from the drug dealer's basement.

 

 

When Baloo was away during the surgery, Shere Khan the tiger and Leo the lion became extremely agitated. They were often seen pacing and vocalising as though they were pining for Baloo to return.

The two photos above show the animals when they were just cubs at a few months old.

 

Shere Khan, the Tiger, is said to be the most mischevious out of the three, and is always pouncing on Baloo and Leo. He also seeks a lot of affection from the other two.

 

 

 

Sources: Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary, ABC News