China: Yes. You read that headline right. This dog lives with two tigers, and they're all okay with it.
When Tontong, the tiger cub, was diagnosed as 'lonely' by the the officials at Tianjhingu zoo in Tongling, they decided to find him a playmate. In came Huang Huang the puppy, who was around the same age as the cub, and thus thought to be perfect company for Tontong. Later, they introduced another tiger cub to the friend circle, Huan Huan.
The
NY Post quotes a spokesperson for the zoo, "When Tontong was born, his mother turned against him so we had to separate them. But we could tell he was lonely so we decided to introduce him to Huang Huang, who is the same age. It's amazing but seven years have gone by and they are all like brothers. They play, sleep and eat together."
The zoo
officials also claim that even when the tigers are in a bad mood and pick fights with each other, they are always careful not to hurt the smallest of the lot - Huang Huang. He may be the odd one out here, but this dog seems to be the king of this particular enclosure.
Located in China's Anhui province, the zoo's unusual cage-rules seem to be generating a lot of local and worldwide interest. There seem to be those who are left speechless at the bond between the three 'brothers', as the zoo officials put it; but there are also those who are horrified by it.
What are your thoughts about this tigers-meet-dog story? Thumbs up for their friendship, or are you scared for Huang Huang? Tell us in the comments box below.