This article explores various examples of cross-species adoption in the animal kingdom. A Thai zoo experimented with having a tigress care for piglets and a sow care for tiger cubs to promote coexistence and obedience. In other instances, a pigeon cared for a Chihuahua, a chimpanzee cared for a tiger cub, a Dalmatian cared for a lamb, a lion was adopted by a dog, and a hen cared for kittens and rabbits. Additionally, a Jack Russell terrier dog acted as a foster mother to baboons, and a capybara (a large rodent) cared for orphaned puppies at an animal shelter. These unusual adoptions demonstrate the power of maternal instincts and the ability of animals to form strong bonds across species.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text, without opinions:
1. Adoption is a process where an adult takes responsibility for a child, even if they are not related by blood.
2. Adoption also occurs in the animal world, sometimes between different species.
3. A zoo in Thailand conducted an experiment where a tigress was given piglets to care for, and a sow was given tiger cubs to care for.
4. The tigress and sow both accepted and cared for the young animals of the other species.
5. A pigeon named Germán, who cannot fly, was taken care of by a Chihuahua named Länd, who cannot walk, at a rescue center in Rochester, USA.
6. Germán and Länd became inseparable friends and were offered a home together by many people.
7. An orangutan at a wildlife sanctuary in South Carolina became friends with three tigers, and the orangutan even helped care for the tigers.
8. A chimpanzee at a zoo in Thailand cares for and feeds a tiger cub.
9. A spotted lamb from South Australia was abandoned by its mother and was adopted by a Dalmatian female.
10. The Dalmatian female cared for the lamb and even protected it from other animals.
11. A lion cub was rejected by its mother at a zoo in Sri Lanka, but was adopted by a dog who had recently given birth to her own puppies.
12. The dog cared for the lion cub and even let it play with her own puppies.
13. A hen at a farm in South Australia adopted a kitten and cared for it, even though the kitten had a biological mother living in the same house.
14. Another hen at the same farm adopted some newborn rabbits, and the hen and the rabbits' biological mother took turns caring for them.
15. A pitbull named Ace Lin adopted three orphaned raccoons and cared for them, even though they were a different species.
16. A cat from a small town in Ireland adopted three orphaned ducklings and cared for them, even though they were a different species.
17. A jack russell terrier dog named Anna from a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia cares for and protects brown baboons and other animals.
18. A chigüiro (a type of rodent) named Cheesecake from an animal shelter in Arkansas cares for and protects orphaned puppies.
19. Cheesecake even punishes the puppies if they misbehave, acting like a real mother.
20. Chigüiros are considered to be friendly creatures and are vegetarians that live in packs.