Dutiful German Shepherd Takes Initiative To Raise Two Lion Cubs

Oct 30, 2020

When a pair of newborn cubs began to be neglected by their mother at a zoo in Vladivostok, Russia, they were transferred to be fostered by a sweet German shepherd. The dog not only accepted the cubs, but she also took care of them and groomed them, helping them recover and become healthier. This story from September 2020 is sure to warm hearts for its unusual but adorable pairing. 

Sirona was a first-time mom when she gave birth to the cubs and was described as "very introverted, secretive, and reserved" by the zookeepers at the White Lion Park in Vladivostok, Russia, reports Daily Mail. She was observed not caring well for the infants at first and then soon began biting her newborns instead of gently grooming them, worrying her caretakers. 

"What the mother lion is doing is not quite normal," explained park director Viktor Agafonov.

When it became clear that Sirona was an unfit mother, zookeepers began searching for a foster mother, and they didn't have to look far. Sasha, a German shepherd, had just given birth and could care for a few more babies.

Since Sasha only had one puppy to care for, the lion cubs were quickly incorporated into her daily feeding, grooming, and tender loving care routines. Moreover, Sasha was an experienced mother whose previous litter contained eight puppies. She turned out to be the best candidate for the job.

"It is interesting that this dog doesn't like cats, yet she decided to accept the little African lions into her family," one of the zookeepers said. 

Once the cubs were under Sasha's care, they began to flourish in all ways. Their wounds healed, they put on weight, and they even managed to tumble a bit with their new puppy siblings. They're doing so well that zookeepers are already anticipating the time when the lion cubs will leave their foster family and rejoin the other lions.

The Zookeeper said it was an "unusual case when a representative of one animal species fosters cubs of another, let alone wild."  He further stated that "the dog's milk is very appropriate for the cubs, it has all necessary nutrients for normal development."

Such a heartwarming account serves as a reminder of the crucial role foster, and other mothers, can play in sustaining life.

Do you have a pet who has taken responsibility for an unusual set of baby animals like Sasha did? Perhaps you’ve been a foster parent to a beloved animal or human. Take a moment, share your experience, and pass this article on.