Lions and other majestic animals are affectionate towards kind people. The human heart gradually opens to the kindness and love they sense in others. Humans are just an important part of life for these wild animals when they trust them. Their humans will enjoy cuddling with them, rubbing their bellies, and giving them big hugs. Are these Disney movie scenes?
In real life, those special bonds do exist. In the Kalahari, a conservationist and co-founder of the Modisa Wildlife Project, Valentin Gruener, takes care of Sirga, an abandoned cub that is a few days old.
Valentin discovered Sirgo in February 2012 on a farm. The adults neglected and abandoned the animal, along with the other two cubs. Sirgo weighed just four pounds when she was born, but she was the only one alive.
The lion cub was adopted by Valentin, who raised it since. Putting her on a drip helped her combat severe dehydration.
Sirgo’s diet was created with the help of the vet. Those tasty foods were made with fresh eggs, cream, milk, vitamins, sunflower oil, and calcium. It would be a treat for the fragile cub.
Sirgo did the same. She reached 175lb in her first year thanks to the great care of her rescuer. The lion ate raw meat after being weaned.
The lion is probably still one of the most spoiled and well-fed in Botswana, according to Valentin.
Sirgo, now a teenager, is a lion in years. Her preparation for the wild is complete. Valentin does not wish to keep Sirgo in captivity. Adoptive father Valentin is teaching the lion how to hunt to help her adapt to the wild. Mikkel Legarth, a conservationist from Denmark, is also invited to join Valentin’s cause.