Man gets a cuddle from the lion he rescued as a sickly cub
Channel: News 360 Tv
Date: 2021-12-19

It's good to start the day with a hug – but not many would choose to share their display of affection with a fully grown lion.

Conservationist Valentin Gruener is more like a father to nine-year-old Sirga, though. 

He rescued her as a sickly cub in 2012 when she was abandoned by her mother and the pair have since developed an incredible bond.

They walk, play wrestle and even swim together at the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana where Sirga lives with German Valentin, 34, and his partner Sarah, 33.

'I guess Sirga thinks of me as a best friend. 

'She loves to give me a big hug. She does rub her head on mine a lot, just like a domestic cat,' Valentin said. 

'Sirga has never been aggressive towards me but I have huge respect for the power she has. 

'I am sure she is aware that I am very different.'


The nine-year-old African queen of the jungle was born after her parents were captured and moved to a rehabilitation camp for killing livestock.

But Sirga's mother stopped feeding her and she faced certain death without Valentin's help.

Almost a decade on both man and big cat share an unbreakable bond. @sirgathelioness 
#shorts