10년간이나 지속되고 있는 백호와 사자 커플의 강한 사랑 Unlikely Love Between a White Tiger and Lion Has Remained Strong for Over 10 Years: VIDEO

경제문화 Economy, Culture/동물식물 Animal and Plant2016. 6. 17. 00:04

Unlikely Love Between a White Tiger and Lion Has Remained Strong for Over 10 Years

By Sara Barnes June 15, 2016

사자 카메론과 백호인 자부

이 커플에게는 지지리도 재수없는 뉴잉글랜드 노천 동물원에서 2000년도 초에 처음으로 만나게 된다.

하지만 2004년에 구조되어 플로리다 탐파에 있는 빅캣구조대에 있게 된다.

그들에게는 서로 어울리지 않는 별난 친구라는 의미의 '레지던트 오드커플'라는 별명이 붙어있다.

황기철 콘페이퍼 에디터

ki chul, hwang conpaper editor

It’s said that opposites attract, and for Cameron the lion and Zabu the white tiger, this timeless adage rings true. The unlikely pair first met in the early 2000s while residing at a roadside zoo in New England—an unfortunate place for the two creatures—but they were both rescued in 2004 and subsequently relocated to the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida where they're known as the “resident odd couple.”

Upon saving Cameron and Zabu, Big Cat Rescue saw the special relationship they shared and knew they had to be kept together. “When Zabu and Cameron were rescued, we constructed a large natural enclosure for the two of them to share since they are truly bonded as a couple,” they explained. To ensure this was a safe partnership—for both the cats and their caretakers—the rescue spayed Zabu and neutered Cameron. This caused him to lose his majestic mane, but it allowed him to remain happy and close to his love. “He seems much more comfortable in the hot Florida summers,” Big Cat Rescue also remarked, “without the extra 15 pounds of fur around his neck.”

The two now have lives that resemble that of a house cat. They play with their favorite toys, enjoy lounging in the sun and rolling around in the grass. Zabu can even act like a kitten, according to the rescue. “While Cameron tries to sleep most of the day away (as lions do in the wild), Zabu is extremely energetic and is always pestering him to play.” To keep her content, Cameron showers her with gentle cuddles as well as affectionate licks and nuzzles.

Learn more about Cameron and Zabu’s incredible story in the video below.

Cameron before his mane disappeared: