Buzz
As Thomas Hobbes once put it, life in the natural world is a constant struggle, a war of survival where every creature fights to outlast the other. In this world, the harshness is undeniable, with nature's laws favoring competition, shaping evolution, and ensuring that these struggles will never cease. However, amidst the brutality, there are moments of warmth and connection. Many animals are social, especially with their own kind, yet occasionally, bonds form between entirely different species, defying nature’s rules. Here are ten of the most unexpected and heartwarming friendships across species.
10. Gorilla and Cat
Koko the gorilla is one of the most researched primates in history, celebrated for her extraordinary ability to communicate through American Sign Language. She has even coined her own words, like calling a ring a ‘finger-bracelet.’ In 1984, Koko requested a pet cat, and she chose a grey kitten, naming it All Ball. She treated All Ball with the same nurturing care as she would a baby gorilla, showing deep distress whenever separated from her beloved pet.
When All Ball tragically lost its life in an accident, Koko was seen grieving deeply. She communicated her sorrow using the signs for ‘sad’ and ‘frown,’ expressing the emotional impact of the loss. Over time, Koko has had several other pets, but the bond she shared with All Ball was undeniably special.
9. Elephant and Sheep
Themba, a young elephant, faced a heart-wrenching tragedy when his mother passed away. Found as an orphan at the Shamwari reserve in South Africa, he was taken in by rangers and placed in a pen for his safety. To ease his loneliness, a sheep named Albert was introduced as a companion. Initially, Themba found amusement in chasing Albert, but over time, the unlikely pair became inseparable, even sharing peaceful moments of sleep together. Sadly, before Themba could be released into the wild, he succumbed to a fatal intestinal disease. Albert, however, has remained a beloved figure at the reserve.
8. Hippo and Tortoise
Owen the Hippo, tragically separated from his parents after a tsunami swept him out to sea, was found by wildlife rangers and brought to a sanctuary in Mombassa, Kenya. There, Owen was introduced to a 100-year-old tortoise named Mzee. Remarkably, Owen treated Mzee, a male tortoise, as if he were his mother. The two formed a close bond, bathing and sleeping together, with Owen even protecting Mzee by licking his face and keeping watch over him. Hippos typically stay with their mothers for about four years, but Owen remained with Mzee until 2007, when he was introduced to other hippos.
7. Deer and Goose
In 2011, an extraordinary bond formed at Forest Lawn cemetery in Buffalo between a nesting Canadian goose and a male deer. The goose laid her eggs in an urn and began incubating them. Shortly thereafter, a male deer appeared and took on the role of protector, stepping in to guard the nest. Whenever anyone came near, the deer would position itself in front of the goose, warding off any potential threat. This unusual behavior continued for three weeks, until the goslings hatched. Once the mother goose began to move her babies around, the deer quietly disappeared into the forest, having fulfilled his protective role.
6. Dog and Otter
When a sea otter pup was discovered abandoned at a construction site in Wales, it was taken to a wildlife sanctuary where it was treated, fed, and eventually brought back to full health. The goal was to rehabilitate the otter and release it back into the wild. After spending a few months at the reserve, the handlers decided the energetic pup needed a playmate to help burn off some of its exuberance. Since otters are known for their sharp nips and curious nature, they brought in an eight-month-old Labrador puppy named Molly. The two quickly became fast friends, playing together as the otter, named Geraint, learned to swim. Geraint is expected to be released soon.
5. Crow and Kitten
In Massachusetts, a distressed kitten wandered onto the property of the Collito family. Initially, the family feared the kitten wouldn’t survive, but soon they noticed an unusual companion – a crow. The crow, which the family named Moses, began bringing the starving kitten worms and guiding it to safety. Moses and the kitten, later named Cassie, quickly became internet sensations after the Collitos uploaded videos of their unusual bond to YouTube. Crows are known for their intelligence and social behavior, and while the reason Moses took an interest in Cassie may never be fully understood, their touching friendship was later turned into a children's book.
4. Tiger, Bear, and Lion
Unlike most animal friendships that emerge by chance or due to unfortunate circumstances, the bond between a tiger, a lion, and a bear began when they were rescued from a drug baron’s home during a police raid in Atlanta. The young cubs were moved to an animal sanctuary, where they were kept together despite the fact that each species is known for its aggressive nature. Now fully grown, these unlikely companions continue to play together and rest in the same shelter each night.
The animals had originally been kept as status symbols by their previous owner. Some experts believe there are more than 5,000 tigers in private ownership in the United States – outnumbering those remaining in the wild.
3. Snake and Hamster
In many countries, feeding live vertebrates to animals is prohibited. However, in Japan, it is allowed to feed live rodents to snakes. At the Tokyo Zoo, a hamster was placed in the enclosure of a rat snake named Aochan, who had been refusing to eat frozen rats. Rather than eating the hamster, Aochan left it unharmed. Surprisingly, the hamster appeared unafraid of the snake, often choosing to sleep on top of it.
Initially, the keepers thought that something might be wrong with the snake or that the hamster would eventually become a meal, but the two animals remained together as companions for several months. Their unusual friendship became a popular attraction at the zoo, and the hamster was given the name Gohan, which translates to ‘Meal’ in Japanese.
2. Orangutan and Dog
Suryia, an orangutan, and Roscoe, a dog, were raised together in a sanctuary in South Carolina. Their friendship began when Suryia noticed the homeless Roscoe wandering into an animal center. The caretakers decided to adopt Roscoe and allowed him to spend time with Suryia, providing companionship for the intelligent primate, who prefers not to be alone.
Suryia, the orangutan, takes Roscoe the dog for walks around the sanctuary on a lead, and they even swim together. There are also pictures of the pair riding on the back of an elephant, which also lives at the sanctuary. Their unique bond has inspired a book, which helps raise funds for their shared home.
1. Dog and Capybara
Capybaras, the largest rodents in the world, resemble giant guinea pigs. Native to South America, they live in herds. At a tourist lodge in Peru, a dog named Pacho and a capybara named Charlie were both rescued around the same time. Before being rescued, Charlie had been kept as a pet by a local family. Although capybaras are adorable, they don’t make great pets. The rescuers initially intended to release Charlie, but he kept returning to the lodge to search for Pacho, forming an unexpected bond.
Charlie and Pacho are now inseparable. When Charlie ventures too far while swimming, Pacho is always there to rescue him. In return, Charlie often gathers food to share with his loyal companion, Pacho.
