- [Narrator] Lions and tigers,
widely known to be the two top cats
of the feline family.
In the wild, what you're seeing here is as unlikely a sight
as you'll ever see but at this sanctuary in Georgia,
this odd pairing actually came naturally.
This is Liberty, an African lioness who arrived here
when she was just a year old.
Liberty was saved from a private facility
where visitors paid to pose for photos with her.
Spared from life as a picture prop,
her days were about to become far less labor intensive
but without a family, this gorgeous girl
was in need of some company.
- She really did need a forever home
where she would be safe and not exploited
but we didn't have any other lions for her live with.
And so we were faced with a problem
because lions are very social animals
and they have to have that pride,
that family to live with.
- [Narrator] Typically, a pride of lions features
about 13 members.
Social interaction is a huge part of their development
and well being.
- [Allison] Liberty!
- [Narrator] Liberty didn't care much for toys
or show interest in really anything.
To thrive in captivity,
she was clearly in the market for a best friend.
No one could've predicted that the neighbor next door
might be the perfect fit.
- Tiger Lilly and Liberty lived in separate enclosures
right next to each other so they could see each other,
smell each other, kinda get used to each other.
- [Narrator] Whoever said curiosity killed the cat
never saw a social experiment quite like this.
- They would play through the fence,
they would rub up against the fence
and try and snuggle with each other and touch each other.
- [Narrator] Now, make no mistake,
pairing two apex predators of different species
is not considered good practice
but the staff here have seen it unfold
beautifully once before.
15 years ago, the sanctuary took in an oddball band
of young friends.
Leo the lion, Baloo the bear, and Shere Khan, the tiger.
Confiscated from a drug dealer
who was keeping them illegally as cubs in his house,
the team here decided not to break up their gang
and as their story trickled out
into the interwebs, the trio became an internet sensation.
- They didn't see any differences with each other.
They learned the other species' language
and it was really incredible to witness.
- [Narrator] Baloo's the only one left standing today
but he acts as a constant reminder
that, when it comes to finding friendship,
anything is possible.
- [Allison] Tiger Lilly!
- [Narrator] So Allison and her team made the move
to give Liberty and Tiger Lilly a shot
at a proper life together.
- There ya go!
We were all a little bit nervous
just because anything can happen with animals.
It was great.
There were no issues.
Both Tiger Lilly and Liberty seemed so happy
that there was no longer a fence in between 'em.
- [Narrator] It's not all a cake walk.
Liberty can be a bit grubby
when it comes to feeding time.
(Liberty snarling)
Lions have to compete to feast on their group's kills
but tigers, on the other hand, are solitary hunters
and eat at their leisure so the old girl has no problem
letting her young BFF call dibs.
They have different interests, sure,
and they're at different stages of their lives
so it's not like they need to do everything together.
But as you can see, the gift
of this otherworldly friendship means a lot to them.
- [Allison] I really think
that they will get along just fine
for the rest of their lives.
Bring it back on up here.
Having a companion changed Liberty's life immensely.
She would not be nearly as happy today.
She wouldn't be as healthy today.
You big goofball.
Tiger Lilly is her pride.
It might be a pride of one but that's her pride.