The inter-species friendship between animals is not uncommon and can occur in both captive and wild environments. Some well-known examples include:

1. Chimpanzee and white tiger

White tigers Mitra and Shiva were born in a sanctuary. Then a storm caused their habitat to be 𝙨𝙪𝙗𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙙 in water. They separated the two cubs from the mother tiger and brought them to the Institute of Rare and Endangered Species in South 𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙖, 𝙐𝙎𝘼.

Here, Anjana, a two-year-old chimpanzee, begins caring for Mitra and Shiva. It often feeds milk and plays with two white tigers. Anjana’s maternal instincts are strong. It used to help staff at the research institute take care of lions, leopards, and orangutans.

2. Dog and tiger

A surrogate dog mother is seen caring for three newborn tiger cubs at Nanning Zoo ‎

2. Dogs and horses

Freddie, of the Jack Russell terrier, and Daisy, of the Shetland breed, live on Patricia Swinley’s farm in 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙭𝙡𝙚𝙮, 𝙂𝙡𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙚, 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙. Their friendship started five years ago.

When Sally, a friend of Mr. Patricia, brings her pet Percy to visit him, Percy finds Freddie riding on Daisy. The dog learns from Freddie, experiencing the feeling of riding a horse for the first time.

3. Monkey and wild boar

The monkey Miwa, who lives in the 𝙁𝙪𝙠𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙮𝙖𝙢𝙖 City Zoo, 𝙅𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙣, became an Internet star after a video was released of it riding on the back of the wild boar Uribo.

Both animals were 𝙤𝙧𝙥𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙙 and became good friends. After a raccoon attacked Miwa, Uribo often played with it. For your fun, Uribo allows Miwa to ride on its back and go for a walk together in the zoo.

4. Weasel and lion

Two cubs, Annabelle and Lester, at the 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙖 State Zoo, 𝙐𝙎𝘼, started caring for the 6-week-old ferret Peanut after it lost its mother. They often play with each other. Photographer Don Johnston loves to photograph the odd trio. He said: “I feel delighted to see Annabell, Lester, and Peanut playing together. I don’t know if that friendship will survive into adulthood.”

5. Badgers and Otters

Otters are animals that live in groups. So, Secret World Wildlife Rescue staff in 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙚𝙩 County, 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙, decided to let Brook the otter live with the Bumble Bee badger because the Center has no other littermates. The two animals become close, often playing together, forming a strange friendship.

6. Kangaroos and koalas

Anzac, the name of a kangaroo, arrived at the Kilmore Wildlife Rescue Center in 𝙑𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖, 𝘼𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙖, at the age of five months. However, usually, baby kangaroos have to live in the mother’s pouch for the first eight months of life. Therefore, the Center staff decided to let Peggy, the koala, be the mother of the little kangaroo. Then they became close. Both are hyperactive and naughty animals.

7. Hounds and owls

Shrek the owl was born at the Reptile and Ringwood Raptor Center in 𝙃𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙚, 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙. Center staff removed the young owl from its mother when it was only three days old. Later, Shrek befriends Torque, a 6-month-old hound. They often lie on the sofa and watch TV together.

8. Hippo and Turtle

True friendship can overcome the age gap. The relationship between the one-year-old hippo Owen and the 100-year-old tortoise Mzee is an example.

After a significant flood, people in 𝙆𝙚𝙣𝙮𝙖 found Owen the hippo living alone as the flood swept away other members of its herd. They moved it to the Haller Wildlife Sanctuary. There, Owen befriends Mzee. The two even eat and sleep together. Pauline Kimoti, manager of the reserve, said: “Mzee acts like a mother. Owen often follows and licks the face of his 100-year-old turtle friend”.

These examples show that animals can form strong bonds and show affection for one another despite their differences.