At the Seaview Lion Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, an extraordinary friendship has blossomed between an unlikely pair: Solo, a tricolored Border Collie, and an eight-month-old tiger cub.
These inseparable companions do everything together – from eating and playing to even sharing grooming sessions.
Gamekeeper Ashley Gombert first noticed the bond between Solo and the tiger cub when he saw them frolicking together in a lake.
Since then, they have become constant companions, often seen riding together in Gombert’s Jeep during trips to town.
While Solo displays typical Border Collie instincts by occasionally herding or controlling the tiger cub, his caring nature shines through as he takes on the role of a protective older sibling, ensuring the proper care of his feline friend.
Despite their size difference, Solo and the tiger cub engage in playful antics, including play fighting and swimming in the lakes within the wildlife reserve.
Ashley Gombert, who has extensive experience with tigers, notes the uniqueness of this friendship, as tigers typically bond only with their kind.
He emphasizes Solo’s nurturing behavior, which extends to grooming and sharing food with the tiger cubs brought to the reserve.
Although the tiger cub will eventually outgrow its enclosure and be relocated, Gombert is optimistic that the strong bond between Solo and the cub will endure.