“Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!” is known as a phrase from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” that is meant to refer to a trio that most people would be terrified to come across. However, you may change your mind about how scary these three creatures are after you read this story.

A lion, a tiger, and a bear living at a Georgia animal shelter have formed an unlikely friendship that is sure to melt your heart! Meet Baloo, an American black bear, Leo, an African lion and Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger. Each of the three were rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary when they were less than a year old, and they have been inseparable ever since!

The animals were found together by police in a basement of an Atlanta home during a drugs raid back in 2001. Leo was in a small cage with a gaping, infected wound on his nose. Baloo was found in an ingrown harness that had dug into his flesh because his owner had not loosened it as he got bigger. Things had gotten so bad that Baloo’s flesh had actually grown into the harness, and he had to have surgery to deal with the deep wounds that were left behind by it.

Though all three animals were malnourished with both external and intern parasites, they each made a full recovery! They were only separated when Baloo had surgery, and during that time, Leo and Shere Khan became so stressed that they refused to eat.

After they were reunited, they were never separated again, and they have been living at the sanctuary together ever since! All these years later, these three are still the best of friends, showing that love can transcend the boundaries of being different species.

Find out more about this trio in the video below, and SHARE this story so your friends and family can see this as well!