Friendship knows no boundaries, whether it is language, culture, distance, or even species. While dogs and cats are often considered to be man’s best friends, Valentin Gruener, a wildlife enthusiast, has formed an extraordinary bond with a lion named Sirga.

Although most people would be intimidated by her size and power, Val considers Sirga to be one of the gentlest lions he has ever encountered. Their friendship is so strong that they joyfully leap into each other’s arms every time they meet. A video of their heartwarming encounters went viral on TikTok, but Val warns that while Sirga is friendly and gentle with him, it could be dangerous for others to try to befriend her without proper training and experience.

Introducing Sirga, the kind-hearted lioness, and Valentin, her favorite human and caregiver.

Here’s how Val remembers the story of their acquaintance. “It started 10 years ago when Sirga was not fed by her mother anymore and I had to hand-raise her.”

Just recently, their compilation of mutual hugs became viral on TikTok

In the video, many instances were shown where Sirga excitedly meets Valentin

Here’s the video itself:

Sirga doesn‘t understand the concept of social distancing. Luckily, she doesn‘t have to. #tiktokwildlifeday

Bear hugs!? Try a lion hug

Sirga is the only cub that survived the early days

The life circumstances for Sirga were difficult at first. “Sirga the lioness was born on February 25, 2012, to wild lions captured after being identified as ‘problem animals’ in livestock areas who were held and cared for at the property of Grassland Bushman Lodge grounds, near Ghanzi, in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana, owned by Willie de Graaff, a cattle rancher and wildlife enthusiast.”