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."
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:
Bear hugs!? Try a lion hug
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Sirga is the only cub that survived the early days
Image credits: sirgathelioness
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."
Image credits: sirgathelioness
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
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
At that time, the Sirga started forming her habbit of hugging Valentin
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Sirga grew and grew over the years
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
As she was maturing, their bonds grew even stronger
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Image credits: sirgathelioness
They became acquainted 10 years ago, and their friendship moved leaps and bounds since then
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Nowadays, Sirga and Valentin chill at the 2000 hectare reservation made just for her
Image credits: sirgathelioness
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."
Image credits: sirgathelioness
There, they mostly chill in the shade, walk around Sirga's dominion, and, of course, cuddle
Image credits: sirgathelioness
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."
Image credits: sirgathelioness
Obligatory silly best bud selfie
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They are BFFs
Image credits: sirgathelioness
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."