They say that dogs and cats can't be friends but this incredible footage proves otherwise, as a group of dogs have formed an unlikely friendship with two tigers. In what is an unusual bond, the German Shepherds - Blacky, Hugo and Jenny - are inseparable from big cat Suria and new-born tiger cub Sunny.
Suria and Sunny were both born at the Oasis of the Siberian Tiger, in Senec, Slovakia - a protected area that breeds Siberian tigers. The older tiger - Suria - has been inseparable from the dogs since she was first born two years ago.
Incredibly, the Oasis's newest addition - 4-month-old cub Sunny - seems to be following in her footsteps and has struck up a friendship with the canines too. The playing dogs and tigers were spectacularly captured by Lucia Zustakova, who was visiting the Oasis, and also Martin Ziman, a volunteer at the oasis and regularly takes videos of the amazing scenes.
Their daily playtime allows the group to interact, sometimes getting quite rowdy as the boisterous animals play-fight and chase after each other excitedly.
Lucia, 29, said: "It is nice to see it all and it is so amazing when you are so near these beautiful animals. Suria plays with the dogs every day and they just love her. I love animals and love the oasis - it's a great project to help these tigers that are facing extinction."
The oasis is run by Yveta Irsova, who also owns the dogs. It opened in 1999 and houses 28 tigers, 23 of which were born there. The sanctuary aims to rescue a small population of tigers from extinction and contribute to the genetic pool for the breeding of the critically endangered lions. With several species of tigers already extinct, Yveta and her staff are completely passionate about trying to stop the same fate happening to Siberian tigers, who are victims of intense poaching and habitat loss.
Martin said: "The dogs are almost same age as Suria and have grown up together. They Spend most of the time together. They are really like siblings and play together all day long. They never hurt each other."
Suria and Sunny were both born at the Oasis of the Siberian Tiger, in Senec, Slovakia - a protected area that breeds Siberian tigers. The older tiger - Suria - has been inseparable from the dogs since she was first born two years ago.
Incredibly, the Oasis's newest addition - 4-month-old cub Sunny - seems to be following in her footsteps and has struck up a friendship with the canines too. The playing dogs and tigers were spectacularly captured by Lucia Zustakova, who was visiting the Oasis, and also Martin Ziman, a volunteer at the oasis and regularly takes videos of the amazing scenes.
Their daily playtime allows the group to interact, sometimes getting quite rowdy as the boisterous animals play-fight and chase after each other excitedly.
Lucia, 29, said: "It is nice to see it all and it is so amazing when you are so near these beautiful animals. Suria plays with the dogs every day and they just love her. I love animals and love the oasis - it's a great project to help these tigers that are facing extinction."
The oasis is run by Yveta Irsova, who also owns the dogs. It opened in 1999 and houses 28 tigers, 23 of which were born there. The sanctuary aims to rescue a small population of tigers from extinction and contribute to the genetic pool for the breeding of the critically endangered lions. With several species of tigers already extinct, Yveta and her staff are completely passionate about trying to stop the same fate happening to Siberian tigers, who are victims of intense poaching and habitat loss.
Martin said: "The dogs are almost same age as Suria and have grown up together. They Spend most of the time together. They are really like siblings and play together all day long. They never hurt each other."
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