A grouping of a lion, tiger and a bear has resulted in the most unlikely friendship at a Georgia animal shelter.
Baloo the American black bear, Leo the African lion and Shere Khan the Bengal tiger were all rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter when they were less than one year old.
The unlikely trio were found by police in the basement of an Atlanta home during a drugs raid in 2001.
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Leo the lion was confined to a cage that was too small and hand an open, infected wound on his nose.
Baloo the bear was in the worst condition of the three cubs.
A severely ingrown harness was digging into his flesh because it was never loosened as he grew.
Video: Meet Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger
It became so ingrown that his flesh had begun to grow over and around it, and surgical intervention was required to remove the harness and clean his deep, infected wounds.
All three cubs were malnourished and had internal and external parasites.
The only time they were separated was when Baloo had surgery to remove the harness and the two other cubs were highly distressed during the short split.
After they were reunited, they never parted ways again and have lived happily in their sanctuary together ever since.
Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter deemed the animals too injured to be rehabilitated to be released back into the wild.
The band of ‘brothers’ spend their days cuddling, eating, sleeping and playing together.
Allison Hedgecoth, curator of Noah’s Ark, said the pair brings comfort to one another, which is the most important part of their relationship.
‘All three are still equally affectionate with one another,’ Hedgecoth told The Dodo. She says that time hasn’t changed the family dynamics much.
Hedgecoth said that the trio has slowed down a bit since their youth, but that they will spend the rest of their days together enjoying a loving, healthy environment.
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