There are many people fighting to save endangered wildlife, but what makes the humans at the Oasis of the Siberian Tiger in Senec, Slovakia unique is that they’re using goofy dogs to help them do it.
German Shepherds Blacky, Hugo and Jenny have grown up at the sanctuary, alongside their big cat family – Siberian tigers Suria and her cub Sunny. According to the staff, this interspecies family is inseparable. They spend most of their days playing and cuddling.
It was love at first sight for Sunny and Hugo, pictured below. They have been best friends since birth.
The dogs belong to Yveta Irsova, who runs the sanctuary. The Oasis has been open since 1999 and is currently a haven to 28 tigers, 23 of which were born there.
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The goal of the preserve is to save Siberian tigers from extinction and to contribute to the genetic diversity of tigers around the world.
Yveta’s German Shepherds help to socialize the tigers, who have no idea that they’re supposed to be “enemies” with the dogs. They’ve never known a dog as anything other than family.
The video below perfectly captures the magical and playful bond of this unusual pack.
To learn more about the Oasis of the Siberian Tiger, visit the sanctuary’s website.
