1. Anthony and Riley
Riley (coyote) plays with Anthony (lion).
Anthony (lion) looks after Riley (coyote).
Anthony (lion) sleeps while Riley (coyote) stands guard.
Anthony was brought to “Keepers of the Wild” animal sanctuary as a sick cub after being auctioned off in Virginia, and Riley was rescued by Arizona game and fish. Both were just over one month old when they met. Coyotes and lions are social animals, and Riley and Anthony grew quite fond of one another almost immediately.
2. Kate and Pip
Pip (doe) often visits Kate, her surrogate Great Dane mother for quality time.
Pip (doe) and Kate, her surrogate Great Dane mother, showing some love.
Pip and Kate love to cuddle.
After photographer Isobel Springett, took in an abandoned fawn, it was almost immediately adopted by Springett’s Great Dane, Kate. Pip clearly feels very strongly for her canine caretaker, and even though Pip joined a herd, she still finds time to spend with Kate.
3. Kasi and Mtani
Kasi (cheetah) and Mtani (dog), have been best friends since they were little tykes.
Kasi and Mtani still haven't noticed that they are a tad different.
Kasi, cheetah and Mtani, dog, Animal Odd Couples, PBS Nature
Mtani the retriever and Kasi the cheetah met over one year ago at Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa, Florida. Both animals were only a few months old when they were introduced. The unlikely couple spent their earliest days together, discovering how to communicate and play with one another.
4. Tortoise and Goose
Tortoise and Goose, these two are inseparable.
A 45-year-old female Aldabra tortoise seems to have formed an alliance with a male Brant goose, and the two are inseparable. The goose follows the tortoise everywhere, quacking at anyone who gets too close. Brant geese mate for life, and it seems that this friendship is in for the long haul.
5. Amy and Ransom
Amy (Sitka deer) and Ransom (golden retriever) share a few Eskimo kisses.
Amy, a sixteen year old Sitka deer, met Ransom the golden retriever puppy when he was just 6 weeks old. Amy, whom served as a surrogate mother to hundreds of young deer, immediately took to adopting Ransom as her own.
6. Charlie and Jack
Jack (the goat) and Charlie (the horse), go for a stroll. Charlie is blind, so Jack helps him get around.
Jack, a 16-year-old goat, formed an touching relationship with Charlie, a blind 40-year-old horse. Jack essentially became Charlie’s eyes, and would lead him around the ranch property where they both lived.
LOVE IT! What great displays of affection and bonding friendship between a variety of species. Kudos to PBS and its photographers for producing this series. Also, thanks to the people who originally observed these interactions between the animals and let PBS and the rest of us in on the fun!
I had this episode of Nature turned on. My cat Vigo sat up, alert and watched the whole thing, so I watched with him. He usually completely ignores the television. He really liked the cheetah, I think – but it speaks to the fact this program itself can communicate to more than one species!
I thoroughly enjoy this series. I have my own odd-couple friend, Princess Sunshine, sun Conure parrot, who loves me and I love her. Unfortunately, I was put into an Ass’t living home, where pets are not allowed, so I am devastated. I would be happy here if only I could have my little Sunshine with me!
This has been one of the best programs on PBS. I enjoyed all of the stories, especially the story of Jack the goat and Charlie the horse. I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it over the past week. Please – more stories like these! Thank you PBS!
Will show thise videos to my Kindergarten class of Valentines Day. Wish the videos were longer!
Isa 11:6-9
6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.
7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
8 The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.
9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
(NIV)
Wish these videos were shown more often on national tv. They are such good examples!!
Sadly, Anthony (lion) passed away, just days before his 2nd birthday. This was a direct result of inbreeding. He was born with abnormalities that ultimately caused his death, not to mention, suffering preceding… Please, let’s all do everything in our power to see to it humans stop buying and breeding exotic animals. So wonderful non-profit facilities, such as Keepers of the Wild,
will no longer be necessary due to ppl who think that a lion cub is cute, and want one for a pet… Now Riley (coyote) has lost her best friend. Spread the word, and donate to these organizations.
I find these stories about the animal couples along with pictures more fun than just seeing odd animal pairs.
Better months later than never….This is for Pat Carnohan: I am sorry you are bereft of your loving
creatures now that you are in assisted living. Do your staff know that animals and birds are essential to
a lonely human being… that petting them brings down high blood pressure, that there is something to
love and nurture waken and go to sleep to…. I say the place where you live is insensitive and
downright indifferent on a basic level to their residents. There are therapy dogs now in hospitals
across the country and the good that they do just being dogs is immense. I have my cat Bibi. She is a
Rag Doll and very puffed with white fur. I love her. And in fact she and I are true companions. I can’t
think about when I will part from her or she from me. It truly breaks my heart. Have your family, if you
have one who will listen to you begin a search for assisted living that allows small animals and
birds. Here, where I live in senior housing, there are five us us who have cats, one has a bird and the
other has a Chi chi dog, very small… It can be done. I wish you well. Catherine in Ann Arbor, MI