In a series of viral videos, a wildlife conservationist in Botswana, Southern Africa, has been captured receiving affectionate cuddles from a 9-year-old lioness he’s raised since she was just a cub. The enduring bond between this wild cat and the man who saved her life is warming hearts and astonishing people around the world.
Valentin Gruener, a 34-year-old conservationist originally from Germany, shared his experience with The Epoch Times, saying, “I think people are usually very emotionally touched by our bond, especially by the way Sirga hugs me. I guess it is always something special when a large and potentially dangerous predator can show so much affection for a person.”
Gruener, who has lived in Botswana for the past 12 years, is a private pilot who now runs his own conservation project called Modisa Wildlife Projects. This project is involved in tourism, wildlife management, conservation, and research.
The story began in 2012 when Gruener was working as a caretaker for predators at Grassland Bushman Lodge in Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. It was there that he met Sirga, who had been abandoned by her mother under a bush when she was just two weeks old.
Explaining the situation, Gruener said, “Sirga’s parents were so-called ‘problem lions’ who were preying on livestock… they were captured and moved to the rehabilitation facility. It appears that Sirga’s siblings died, possibly due to other lions playing rough with them; in the wild, the mother would hide them away from the pride for about six weeks and introduce them when they are strong enough, a scenario that was not possible in the camp where they were kept.”
With the facility owner’s permission, Gruener took it upon himself to save Sirga and hand-raise her. Since then, she has been living on the 7,500-hectare Modisa property with Gruener and other resident wildlife. She even has her 2,000-hectare reserve.
Right from the start, Sirga imprinted on Gruener. He recalled, “Sirga started to cuddle me only a few days after I started to care for her. The hugs used to be me sitting down and her climbing up to get her little arms around my neck. Today, she stands much taller than me on her hind legs, and after a few seconds, I get sort of buried under her weight, and we cuddle on the ground for a bit.”
Their heartwarming ritual happens every time they meet, and Sirga allows only Gruener to be so close to her, despite being a formidable wild cat.
After Sirga’s first antelope kill at 16 months old, her team prohibited contact with all people except Gruener, her sole caretaker. They became best friends, exploring the Kalahari on their daily walks and sleeping outside under the open sky.
Gruener mentioned that the biggest sign of trust that Sirga shows him is that she’s never been on a leash, yet she always follows him home. The fact that she has never seriously injured him or shown aggression of any kind speaks for itself.
However, some people still doubt the situation, believing that Sirga will eventually pose a threat to Gruener. He firmly believes otherwise, saying, “I am certain this will not be the case, and I guess the past nine years are a good indication that I may be correct.”
Gruener and Sirga’s heartwarming relationship went viral when he uploaded a “then vs. now” video montage to TikTok, showing Sirga’s evolution from a tiny cub into a formidable lioness. This video, along with subsequent ones, garnered millions of views across various digital media platforms.
Apart from her inseparable friendship with Gruener, Sirga has thrived under human care. At 9 years old, she has no scars, scratches, or parasites, which is uncommon for wild lions that can often appear beaten up. She still has the ability to stalk and chase prey, relax and sleep in the shade, and simply enjoy her life.
Gruener has always tried to raise Sirga as close to a “wild” lion as possible given the circumstances. She was not exposed to cars, buildings, or other human elements. He is the only one who interacts with her.
Once a week, Gruener spends an entire day with his friend, exploring her reserve. Sirga also receives a snack before each visit ends, to divert her attention when Gruener departs. Without this snack, she wouldn’t let him leave.
Additionally, if livestock comes close to the reserve fences or if bushfires encroach, Sirga, who wears a GPS collar, moves back to her camp. Visitors to the reserve can watch her from a safe distance in a safari vehicle but are not allowed to approach.
When Gruener is not around, his partner, Sarah, and the staff feed Sirga by throwing a snack over the fence in the evening.
During the pandemic, Gruener relied on support from Patreon as tourism came to a halt. Supporters have access to behind-the-scenes footage of life on the reserve. He also hosts a podcast called “Kalahari Diaries.”
Despite the heartwarming bond between Gruener and Sirga, he insists that raising a lion should not be anyone’s life goal. He acknowledges that saving one lion will not solve Africa’s dwindling lion population. However, by sharing Sirga’s story, he hopes to raise awareness and garner support for conservation efforts. He aims to educate both guests and the general public and obtain more resources to work with local communities in Botswana.
As for the future, Gruener reveals that the reserve plans to establish a permanent environmental research base in partnership with scientists. This will provide a platform for students from around the world to conduct their environmental research.
Sirga has given Gruener a decade of work and responsibility, but the love they share is beyond compare. Gruener reflected, “Sirga happened to me because she needed help; raising her gave her a good life, and me the experience of a lifetime.”
