Dorothy’s chant “lions, tigers and bears, oh my” can certainly be applied to the trio living at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust Grove, Georgia. However, you will be “oh my-ing” with less concern and more heartfelt emotions because this might very well be the cutest animal friendship you will ever see.
The ‘BLT’ is not considered a sandwich at the non-profit animal sanctuary; it is the name of a rare trio comprising of Baloo the American Black Bear, Leo the African Lion, and Shere Khan the Bengal Tiger: they live together and are the best of friends.
In 2001, the then-month-old cubs were found in terrible conditions during a drug raid at an Atlanta home. They were brought to Noah’s Ark to be treated and have lived there together in harmony ever since.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Cross-species Friendships
- Animal sanctuaries and pet industries have an opportunity to promote cross-species friendships as a way to encourage animal adoptions and pet ownership.
- Unlikely Animal Companionship
- The trend of unlikely animal companionship has disrupted traditional understanding of predator-prey relationships and shifted the focus to the emotional intelligence of animals.
- Non-profit Animal Sanctuaries
- Non-profit animal sanctuaries have the opportunity to create unique and heart-warming experiences for visitors by promoting the stories of unlikely animal friendships.
Sectors Adopting This
- Animal Sanctuaries
- Animal sanctuaries have the opportunity to promote their mission through social media by sharing heartwarming stories of unlikely animal friendships.
- Pet Industry
- The pet industry has the opportunity to promote cross-species friendships by showcasing the benefits of multi-species households and encouraging the adoption of multiple pets.
- Conservation Industry
- The conservation industry has the opportunity to educate the public on the importance of protecting natural habitats and encouraging behaviors that promote unlikely animal companionship.
