Real-Life Friendship Between This Lion, Tiger, And Bear Is Straight Out Of A Fairytale

These guys been an unlikely trio for 15 years now

Elana

• Published in Animal Stories
• March 24, 2020

Friendships between animal species is a topic near and dear to the hearts of animal-loving humans all over the world. There is just something exceptionally endearing about unlikely combinations of companionship that just nestles deep into our hearts and sprouts all the happy-feels.

Recently, we gushed over the dynamic duo of a dachshund (wiener dog) and a seal, and we certainly cannot forget the adorable friendship between this dog and duck, can we? The truth is, animal species find a way to get along far better than us humans tend to more often than we realize.

Perhaps the most iconic unlikely friendship of all time, however, is this trio of troublemakers.

Living together in harmony for 15 years: an American black bear, an African lion, and a Bengal tiger. Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my! Indeed.

The best part might be their names.

Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger. I mean, iconic names, really. The trio have been peacefully coexisting at Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter in Georgia, USA for a whopping 15 years now.

Their iconic nickname? BLT.

Prior to their rescue and placement at Noah's Ark in 2001, BLT lived in the basement of a house in Atlanta in a devastating tale of severe animal abuse. The basement was in terrible condition and so were the wild animals.

Baloo's surgery upon rescue was he only time this trio has been separated.

They were cared for so poorly that upon rescue, Balloo had to have surgery just to remove an ingrown harness he'd worn for, well who knows how long. It had never been adjusted though, and his body grew around it. Horrifying, I know.

Each of these majestic animals is from a completely different continent.

They would literally never meet in the wild.

Noah's Ark cares for animals in the hopes of rehabilitation and release, but not all the animals that come to them can be released.

BLT was such a case, so like other animals who could not be released, they became permanent residents of Noah's Ark.

The non-profit organization opened in 1978 in Ellenwood, Georgia.

According to their website:

Noah's Ark has over 1,500 animals with 100 different species and it costs $33,000 per month to feed and care for the animals.

Noah's Ark never charges admission to come and see the animals, but they accept (and appreciate) donations.

Animals and the people that visit Noah's ark are treated with "unconditional love, unconditional service, and a future full of hope."

BLT is a rare trio indeed, and they seem to get along like brothers rather than significantly different animal species.

They will spend the rest of their lives being cared for at Noah's Ark, but they don't seem to mind.

They are treated very well with lots of love and respect by this incredible organization.

You might even say that retirement looks great on them.

Here is a cool educational video about Noah's Ark.

You can keep up with Noah's Ark or learn more by visiting their website.

Elana