Rescued Lion, Tiger, And Bear Have Been Inseparable Best Friends For 15 Years

For the past 15 years, Baloo the American black bear, Leo the African lion, and Shere Khan the Bengal tiger have been happily living together at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary.

This unusual trio might have any animal lover scratching their head, but their backstory goes a long way to explaining how the three wild animals ended up together.

They were rescued as cubs when they were discovered by police officers in a home’s basement in Atlanta, Georgia during a drug raid. The three animals were all under a year old and had sustained terrible injuries, infected with parasites and severely malnourished when they were rescued.

The animals were taken to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust Grove, Georgia, where they were nursed back to health.

Shere Khan was underweight and malnourished, but with treatment of his parasites and a healthy diet, he regained his energy and spirit. He is the most mischievous of the trio and also the most affectionate.

Leo had been kept in a cage that was too small for him and had an infected nose. His confinement has left him with long-term problems but Noah’s Ark says he is “very stoic and enjoys napping on the porch of his clubhouse”.

Baloo was in the worst shape of the three. He had been tethered with a harness that was too small for him and it became embedded in his skin. He needed surgery to remove the material and close up the terrible wounds it caused. While he was away at surgery, his two “brothers” were very concerned for him, behaving agitated and calling out for him. NAAS said that this was the only time the three have ever been apart.

NAAS noticed that the three animals leaned on one another. They had become closely bonded through their ordeal and so NAAS believed it was better that they all stay together.

That proved to be the right call and for the past 15 years the unique trio, lovingly referred to as the “BLT”, have kept each other company.

They sleep together, play together and are affectionate with one another like siblings are.

Noah’s Ark Sanctuary has hundreds of rescue animals at their facility. It is free to visit the sanctuary; they only ask for donations in return to help care for the animals.

What a heartwarming rescue story. The BLT’s friendship with one another is inspiration for us all to love one another despite our differences!

Share the BLT with your family and friends!