The inseparable pardons Abdullah Sholeh and Bengal tiger Mulan are the best of friends.
The couple share everything together, from eating to sleeping to play-fighting.
Despite their innocent appearance, many of these animals can become a serious threat.
In the east Java province of Indonesia, which is known for its diverse wildlife,
it's not uncommon to find monkeys & rhinos roaming around in the wild.
However, Abdullah can count an even more exotic creature as a friend. Since 2008, Abdullah has
lived with a Bengal tiger known as Mulan. He first came to know the animal after its owner,
Nuharbor Mohammed Sholeh asked the student to care for the cat. Abdullah accepted,
Nuharbor’s offer and before long, he found himself responsible for a three-month-old tiger Cub.
In the wild, Bengal tigers are capable of preying on animals, as large as a water Buffalo. They have
also been known to attack humans. So, it's safe to say that Abdullah certainly has his work cut out.
With that in mind, it was important that Abdullah establish a bond with Mulan.
So, from a very early stage, he began monitoring the animal closely. He got to know her personality
and traits so that he could attempt to care for her without risking his life.
Abdulla was so dedicated in his mission to win Mulan's trust
that alongside looking after the tiger throughout the day, he also slept with her at night. I'll be
it with metal bars to separate them. Due to this 24-hour care Abdullah soon became known as the
tiger nanny among his neighbours and friends. Explaining this unique bond with Mulan in 2012,
Abdullah explained to Barcroft TV, “Since she arrived here, I have always looked after
her. I stay with her day and night and she doesn't like it when I leave her.”
However, while caring for Mulan has taken over his life, Abdullah wouldn't have things any other way.
“I am happy that I've been able to live with the tiger. I try to understand her nature, her mood,
her daily and even momentary feelings in order to continue living with her.” He explained.
Abdullah's attitude towards Mulan is certainly different to prevailing feelings toward Bengal
tigers in Asia, where the species future remains in peril. With that in mind, the beautiful
creatures are now classified as endangered with fewer than 2,500 individuals left in the wild.
Some of the biggest threats facing the Bengal tiger include poaching, habitat loss and
human tiger conflict. And while conservation efforts have been implemented across Asia,
the population continues to decline. So, although her life is far from ordinary,
at least Mulan has someone to look out for her. One of Abdullah’s, his most important daily tasks
are preparing Mulan's food. Each day, the big cat consumes more than 26 pounds of goat or chicken
meat. But according to her nanny, her favorite thing to eat is actually instant noodles. In fact,
Mulan has acquired a taste for human foods, thanks to her relationship with Abdullah.
He admits that he often lets the Bengal tiger sample his food. Sometimes he even allows her
to take morsels directly from his own mouth. Abdullah explained- “Mulan is a spoiled tiger.
She is exactly like a best friend. She always plays with me and eats what I eat. He describes
that she likes to try a bit of my food. If she doesn't like it, she will leave it. But
if she likes it, she will finish my food.” And sharing his food with Mulan isn't the only way
in which Abdullah comes too close for comfort with the tiger that's because he also likes to
indulge the big cats fun-loving side by participating in dangerous play fights.
However, given that she weighs 27 stone and has razor sharp teeth and claws, wrestling with Mulan
is not without its risks. Describing one near miss Abdullah revealed, “I was lucky Mulan’s claw
nearly took my eye out. It scratched just below my eyeball and cut the lower eyelid.” But Abdullah is
confident that Mulan never means to hurt him and simply underestimates her own strength.
“If an accident was to happen, I know it is not her intention.” He said. She is just being
a tiger, but I take that risk every time I go in with her, with that in mind Abdullah,
doesn't get angry if Mulan does injure him, which is a good job since he gets cut often.
“Having a bit of a scar from her doesn't mean anything to me getting a scratch or
even a bite from her as a common thing.” He said. Abdullah added “I realized that she is an animal
who has her own instinct. She is just like a cat. When she is playing, she can scratch and bite and
those are just a few of the risks that I have to face. That's why we have to learn about her
character.” However, Abdula doesn't spend all of his time defending himself from Mulan. Often
the tiger shows him a great deal of affection002E In fact, she has been known to passionately work
with her career and that has only strengthened their bond further. With that in mind,
the pair are inseparable, with Mulan finding any partings between her and Abdullah particularly
tricky. “If I am not home, Mulan will be trying to find me, she will be anxious.” He explained. That
is why I'm always with her to play, to sleep and to feed her. That is how I spend my days!