Witnessing the Moment a White Lion Approaches to “Shake Hands” with a Dog Surprises Many.
A video capturing an affectionate moment between a dog and a white lion was shared on the social media platform Reddit, garnering significant attention.
In the clip, a lion leisurely approaches a dog that is wagging its tail and raises its right paw. The lion then gently touches its muzzle to the dog’s paw before stepping back.
The lion is named Miki and the dog is named Camila. Both are cared for by the Black Jaguar-White Tiger Foundation (BJWT), a non-profit organization in Mexico that specializes in rescuing and rehabilitating big cats and other wildlife.
The person who recorded the video mentioned that the two animals grew up together at the sanctuary. Lion Miki was once an illegally kept pet in an apartment. After being rescued, the lion was raised alongside the female dog when they were both young. They arrived at the sanctuary at the same time and soon shared a enclosure.
In the wild, encounters between lions and dogs often result in fatalities. However, in captivity, they can form strong bonds.
The lion gently touches its muzzle to the dog’s paw before stepping back.
According to Professor Bonnie Beaver from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University, it is not unusual for captive animals to form bonds with species they would typically avoid, simply because they enjoy each other’s company.
For instance, a bear, lion, and tiger, rescued from a private collector when they were just a few months old, remained close friends as they grew up in a sanctuary near Atlanta. Similarly, a leopard rescued as a cub in South Africa befriended a golden retriever.
Many comments on social media expressed that the “handshake” between the lion and the dog is heartwarming. There are also numerous other clips on BJWT’s Instagram and Facebook pages showcasing seemingly loving interactions between big cats and their caregivers.
