Majestic creatures, such as lions, may be loving toward those who treat them well. They sense the warmth and affection of humans and eventually open their hearts to them. When these wild creatures put their faith in people, they treat them as though they were a vital part of their lives.
Their people will give them cuddles, belly massages, and huge hugs. Is this something you’d see in a Disney movie?
That special bond does happen in real life. Sirga, a few-day-old abandoned lion cub builds a strong relationship with her rescuer, Valentin Gruener, a conservationist and co‑founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project in the Kalahari, Botswana.
In February Valentin found Sirgo on a farm and saved him. The adults mistreated and abandoned the unfortunate creature, along with the other two cubs. Sirgo was little and frail at the time (weighing just 4 pounds), yet she was the only one of the litter to survive.
Since then, Valentin has adopted and raised the lion cub. He had to place the small animal on a drip to help her fight acute dehydration.
He devised a feeding regimen for Sirgo in collaboration with the veterinarian. Fresh eggs, cream, milk, vitamins, sunflower oil, and calcium were used to make that delectable dish. His food would be enjoyed by the frail cub.
Sirgo was the one who accomplished it. She grew up healthy because to her rescuer’s excellent care, gaining 175 pounds in her first year. After being weaned, the lion began to consume raw meat.
“To this day, we feel she is Botswana’s most pampered and well-fed lion,” Valentin explained.
Sirgo is now a teenager in lion years. It suggests she’s getting ready to live in the wilderness. Sirgo should not be kept in prison, according to Valentin.
Valentin, the lion’s adoptive father, is teaching her to hunt in order to help her adjust to life in the wild. Valentin also enlists the help of Mikkel Legarth, a fellow environmentalist from Denmark.
Both the “parents” and the lion have a difficult task ahead of them. Valentin and Mikkel rely on her to stalk and kill, which are not entirely innate talents.
‘We didn’t want Sirgo to end up like other captive lions that are continuously fed by visitors,’ Mikkel said. ‘She hunts her own food, antelopes, and she allows us to be close her when she eats, which is extraordinary.
‘We want to release her eventually as a wild lion, not as one who has met lots of people. That would be dangerous. She only interacts with me and Valentin.’ He added.
Valentin and Mikkel even enlisted the help of cinematographer Jurgen Jozefowicz to document their lessons. They understand Sirgo is forming an unbreakable relationship with them. Both of her “parents” are nuzzled and hugged by the lion, who lets them stroke her stomach and rub her jaws.
Valentin massages the stately cat’s ears as she lays her head peacefully on his lap. Lionheart, the first book in his trilogy, will be released later this year.
0 Comments