This Lioness Repays Her Caregiver Of 10 Years With Hugs And Cuddles
Interview
No matter the language, culture, distance, and even species, friendship knows no bounds. While most pet owners rant and rave about dogs and cats being a man’s best friend, Valentin Gruener, a wildlife enthusiast, has a friend of another caliber, one which would probably paralyze many with fear if she even opened her mouth to say “Hello!” Val can safely say that his best friend is a lion named Sirga. Their special bond is so great, they leap at each other every time they meet each other. Somebody managed to record these heartfelt encounters, and it, deservedly I might add, went viral on TikTok for all the right reasons. To Val, Sirga is perhaps the gentlest of lions out there, but he doesn’t recommend trying to befriend her, for it might have serious consequences: “she is always gentle and friendly despite her size. But I am the only one interacting with her. It would be dangerous for people who she is not used to.”
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Meet Sirga, the gentle lioness, and Valentin, her favorite human and caregiver
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Here’s how Val remembers the story of their acquaintance. “It started 10 years ago when Sirga was not fed by her mother anymore and I had to hand-raise her.”
Just recently, their compilation of mutual hugs became viral on TikTok
In the video, many instances were shown where Sirga excitedly meets Valentin
Here’s the video itself:
@sirgathelioness Sirga doesn‘t understand the concept of social distancing. Luckily, she doesn‘t have to. #tiktokwildlifeday
Bear hugs!? Try a lion hug
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Sirga is the only cub that survived the early days
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The life circumstances for Sirga were difficult at first. “Sirga the lioness was born on February 25, 2012, to wild lions captured after being identified as ‘problem animals’ in livestock areas who were held and cared for at the property of Grassland Bushman Lodge grounds, near Ghanzi, in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, owned by Willie de Graaff, a cattle rancher and wildlife enthusiast.”
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Her mother refused to feed her, and that’s where Valentin started taking care of her
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They formed an immediate bond
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Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
At that time, the Sirga started forming her habbit of hugging Valentin
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Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Sirga grew and grew over the years
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Image credits: sirgathelioness
As she was maturing, their bonds grew even stronger
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Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
They became acquainted 10 years ago, and their friendship moved leaps and bounds since then
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Nowadays, Sirga and Valentin chill at the 2000 hectare reservation made just for her
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But now, Sirga has her own territory to rule over. Her kingdom has little conflict, and is very peaceful. “Today she lives in a 2000 ha reserve specially set up for her where she can hunt and live as freely as possible under her circumstances. I am still around for her on a daily basis. I am living in the middle of the bush in Botswana together with Sirga.”
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There, they mostly chill in the shade, walk around Sirga’s dominion, and, of course, cuddle
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Valentin Grüner says the experience of taking care of Sirga was very transformative to him as an individual. “I’ve always loved animals but Sirga changed my life forever. Being responsible for her is still teaching me on a daily basis what it means to really be there for another being. I will continue to be by her side and to fight for the survival of her wild relatives for as long as I live.”
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Obligatory silly best bud selfie
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They are BFFs
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For him, the secret to taking care of such a strong, big and wild animal is “a lot of love and time. My girlfriend also helps a lot with all the other animals. But in the past 12 years I haven’t had a holiday yet – no regrets, though.”
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>They are BFFs in the making Nope. They already there and beyond
Thats so beautiful and sweet! The bond, trust and familiarity that developed over time...man. Such a majestic and beautiful animal! Please dont try this at home people. Absolutely NO ONE SHOULD ATTEMPT THIS! Please, please, please dont support the trade of exotic animals. Sigra has a preserve all for her in her native land and clearly she has been well taken care of. May you remain friends till the end!
Wow- just look at those head butts she gives him, she loves that human so much
Animals are so intelligent and sense when someone is good or bad. Their bond is so beautiful and extremely special. Keep cuddling!
THIS. That's why I never trust anyone who doesn't like dogs. Babies and toddlers have that sense, too. Then we break it down through forced socialization.
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Funny how so many housecats are aloof and distant ( had a few) yet an apex predator can have such a strong bond. FWIW I have had cats who were cuddly as well, but nothing like this.
I hope he never introduces a girlfriend or wife to Sirga. It's pretty obvious from her body language that Valentin belongs to HER. But I bet she'd be great with hIs kids--since animals heavily rely upon their sense of smell to help them identify humans.
I was thinking that same thing. She looks at him like a female human looks at the man she loves and adores, attracted to.
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This story, Dean Scheider and the other big cat stories on the Internet goes a long way to proof that these animals are not as bad as we see them. Yes they hunt other animals but for survival and so does humans also do. The kind of relationship we form with them is what determines how they see us. It's all about the trust and bond that we build together. Even in our families, there are those that wish our down fall.
The very real love between man and beast is just beautiful. I'm envious!!!
If anyone here hasn't seen Kevin Richardsons videos on YouTube about his Lion and big animal reserve in South Africa I highly recommend!! Lion Whisperer is the channel name. Similar to this guys story and explains REAL animal rescues versus Tiger King style. Anyway. Very good. Lions are amazing.
Now that’s is till death do us part friendship..I can’t say I blame her Tarsand is a good looking guy 🤣🙋♀️
oh my gooooOOd this is the sweetest thing i've seen in my life! it's good to know she's being treated right.
God made human, then God made animals for human to care for. What a bond!!
I guess Natgeo wild latin America had a program about Sirga, unfortunately I have not watched any ad or info related and I am so happy she is here with her dearest human. Last time I watched she was sick and he was trying to follow her treatment so is a rest for my parents and me ╰(＾3＾)╯
Well, if domestic cats think we are cats, but rubbish at it. Sigra must think that chap is her mother and a lion.
He doesn't 'train' animals. Training implies treating them as entertainment. STOP THAT.
Load More Replies...
>They are BFFs in the making Nope. They already there and beyond
Thats so beautiful and sweet! The bond, trust and familiarity that developed over time...man. Such a majestic and beautiful animal! Please dont try this at home people. Absolutely NO ONE SHOULD ATTEMPT THIS! Please, please, please dont support the trade of exotic animals. Sigra has a preserve all for her in her native land and clearly she has been well taken care of. May you remain friends till the end!
Wow- just look at those head butts she gives him, she loves that human so much
Animals are so intelligent and sense when someone is good or bad. Their bond is so beautiful and extremely special. Keep cuddling!
THIS. That's why I never trust anyone who doesn't like dogs. Babies and toddlers have that sense, too. Then we break it down through forced socialization.
Load More Replies... Funny how so many housecats are aloof and distant ( had a few) yet an apex predator can have such a strong bond. FWIW I have had cats who were cuddly as well, but nothing like this.
I hope he never introduces a girlfriend or wife to Sirga. It's pretty obvious from her body language that Valentin belongs to HER. But I bet she'd be great with hIs kids--since animals heavily rely upon their sense of smell to help them identify humans.
I was thinking that same thing. She looks at him like a female human looks at the man she loves and adores, attracted to.
Load More Replies... This story, Dean Scheider and the other big cat stories on the Internet goes a long way to proof that these animals are not as bad as we see them. Yes they hunt other animals but for survival and so does humans also do. The kind of relationship we form with them is what determines how they see us. It's all about the trust and bond that we build together. Even in our families, there are those that wish our down fall.
The very real love between man and beast is just beautiful. I'm envious!!!
If anyone here hasn't seen Kevin Richardsons videos on YouTube about his Lion and big animal reserve in South Africa I highly recommend!! Lion Whisperer is the channel name. Similar to this guys story and explains REAL animal rescues versus Tiger King style. Anyway. Very good. Lions are amazing.
Now that’s is till death do us part friendship..I can’t say I blame her Tarsand is a good looking guy 🤣🙋♀️
oh my gooooOOd this is the sweetest thing i've seen in my life! it's good to know she's being treated right.
God made human, then God made animals for human to care for. What a bond!!
I guess Natgeo wild latin America had a program about Sirga, unfortunately I have not watched any ad or info related and I am so happy she is here with her dearest human. Last time I watched she was sick and he was trying to follow her treatment so is a rest for my parents and me ╰(＾3＾)╯
Well, if domestic cats think we are cats, but rubbish at it. Sigra must think that chap is her mother and a lion.
He doesn't 'train' animals. Training implies treating them as entertainment. STOP THAT.
Load More Replies... 
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