Ten years later, this very happy man is still enjoying his morning hugs with his massive fluffy friend: the gentle lioness he saved when she was only a few days old. Since then, they have spent time together, and their inspirational and unique connection shows the world that love is the language in which we all speak, both humans and animals!
Recently, nature conservationist Valentine Grüner shared the video to show everyone the reaction of his lioness friend when she sees him in the morning. Touching images have become viral on the Internet, and it is easy to understand why!
“Sirga thinks of me as a best friend. She loves to give me a big hug,” Gruener said. “She does rub her head on mine a lot, just like a domestic cat. Sirga has never been aggressive towards me but I have huge respect for what she is. I am sure she is aware that I am very different.”
“Sirga is amazingly gentle for a very large cat. When I go to see her, she always hugs me like in that video,” Gruener said. “She has a very friendly and gentle personality for a lion.”