Unlikely Animal Trio: Baby Apes, Tiger Cubs, and Kangaroo Bond Like Siblings

At Dade City's Wild Things in Florida a group of baby tiger cubs, gibbons and a giraffe (all pictured here with caretaker Kathy Stearns and a goat) have become as close as siblings 

In a heartwarming display of inter-species camaraderie, an unlikely trio comprising baby apes, tiger cubs, and a kangaroo have formed an inseparable bond reminiscent of siblings. This unusual friendship, observed in a wildlife sanctuary, has captivated the hearts of many and shed light on the capacity for animals to form deep, cross-species connections.

The baby BFFs play and fight together like any group of brothers and sisters would. Pictured here one baby cup gets fed as 8-month-old joey Whelan and one-year-old Sarah suck on their big toes 

The sanctuary, known for its commitment to wildlife rehabilitation and care, became an accidental home to these three young animals due to varying circumstances. Separated from their respective families at a tender age, the baby apes, tiger cubs, and kangaroo found solace in each other’s company, defying the conventional boundaries of their species.

Since the only thing these babies have to fight for is Kathy's attention - rather than food - it's not dangerous to let them be playmates when they're young
And by allowing the babies to interact with each other, Kathy said they are developing the social skills to entertain and enrich themselves when they are transferred to the zoo

Experts believe that this exceptional bond may have been facilitated by the sanctuary’s nurturing environment, which prioritizes the emotional well-being of its residents. The absence of predatory threats and ample space for exploration likely contributed to the trio’s ability to form such a close-knit relationship.

They won't be able to play with each other when they're older, when the tigers playful pounces and jumps will be much more dangerous with an increase in size
This heartwarming story serves as a poignant reminder of the universal need for companionship and connection, transcending the boundaries imposed by species differences. It underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and acceptance in fostering harmonious relationships, not only among humans but also among the diverse inhabitants of our planet.
But for now the youngsters are happy in each other's company. Kathy said gibbon Sarah is especially curious of the newborn cubs
Kathy acts as the babies' adoptive mother. She changes their diapers and bottle feeds them every day 
Kathy said raising animals in captivity is vastly different from the wild, where their whole focus is 'defending territory, hunting and killing'
'In the zoo they'll have all these smells and characters,' she said. That's why Kathy believes it's a good idea to get these animals together when they're young, becoming social with different species of all shapes and stripes and sizes 
As visitors to the sanctuary continue to marvel at the unlikely friendship between these baby apes, tiger cubs, and kangaroo, one thing remains clear: love knows no bounds, and the bonds formed through kindness and compassion are truly unbreakable.
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