An extraordinary bond has formed between a lion, tiger, and bear at a Georgia animal shelter, creating the most unlikely friendship.

Baloo, the American black bear, Leo, the African lion, and Shere Khan, the Bengal tiger, were all rescued by Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter when they were just under a year old.

In a remarkable turn of events, these three animals, found together in the basement of an Atlanta home during a drug raid in 2001, have now formed an inseparable trio, defying the odds and showcasing the true power of friendship.

Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger live at the Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter together in Georgia

The ‘brothers’ were rescued from a basement during a police drug raid in 2001 and were brought to the shelter

Baloo the bear had to have surgery to remove a harness that had become ingrown into his skin while the cubs were trapped in the Atlanta basement
Leo the lion was confined to a cage that was too small and hand an open, infected wound on his nose.

Baloo the bear was in the worst condition of the three cubs.

A severely ingrown harness was digging into his flesh because it was never loosened as he grew.

That was the only period the three were separated and Noah’s Ark said it caused the Leo the lion and Shere Khan the tiger great distress

Together forever: After Baloo’s surgery the three were reunited and have not left each other’s side in 15 years

Baloo, Leo and Shere Khan live, play, eat and sleep together in the same enclosure, which provides them with everything they could ever need

It became so ingrown that his flesh had begun to grow over and around it, and surgical intervention was required to remove the harness and clean his deep, infected wounds.

All three cubs were malnourished and had internal and external parasites.

The only time they were separated was when Baloo had surgery to remove the harness and the two other cubs were highly distressed during the short split.

The animals are now in their golden years and have slowed down a considerable amount but are still happy

Bengal tigers are found primarily in India with small populations in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar

The omnivorous American black is the continent’s smallest and most widely distributed bear species

After they were reunited, they never parted ways again and have lived happily in their sanctuary together ever since.

Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter deemed the animals too injured to be rehabilitated to be released back into the wild.

The band of ‘brothers’ spend their days cuddling, eating, sleeping and playing together.

African lions, from sub-Sahara African, are the second largest big cat species in the world after tigers

The three will live out the remainder of their days with each other in the safety of Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter
Allison Hedgecoth, curator of Noah’s Ark, said the pair brings comfort to one another, which is the most important part of their relationship.

‘All three are still equally affectionate with one another,’ Hedgecoth told The Dodo. She says that time hasn’t changed the family dynamics much.

Hedgecoth said that the trio has slowed down a bit since their youth, but that they will spend the rest of their days together enjoying a loving, healthy environment.