An unlikely bond formed between this surprising trio of a lion, tiger, and bear. Meet Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger.
All three were being kept illegally as pets in a dark basement until they were found by police during a drug raid in 2001. Fortunately, they were immediately confiscated and brought to the sanctuary for much-needed care and treatment.
When their story was shared on Facebook 15 years later, this unconventional family had been living together at Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Georgia since they were merely months-old cubs.
The sanctuary curator Allison Hedgecoth lamented, “The tiger and the lions’ noses were busted up, and they’re still scarred today.” The bear had a harness growing into his skin because the owner never loosened it as he grew.
Thankfully, the malnourished and neglected trio was removed from the home and brought to the Atlanta wildlife sanctuary, where they remained for the rest of their life.
The sanctuary owner stated that they attempted to separate them twice, but they wouldn’t eat and cried the entire night. She decided at that point that they were a family and should be kept together.
Video:Sadly, Leo the lion passed away in 2016 and Shere Khan in 2018, leaving the gentle giant Baloo as the sole surviving member of the original trio. According to a Facebook post from after Shere Kahn’s passing, the two animals were buried together in the habitat where they enjoyed spending time and where Baloo still lives. So they still remain together!
For more details about their story, or to support their sanctuary, visit the Noah’s Ark website here!
