Quote:"Now, though, it is possible to see Baloo, who is a 1,000 pound bear, Shere Khan, a 350 pound tiger and Leo, who is also 350 pounds messing around like brothers.
"They are totally oblivious to the fact that in any other circumstance they would not be friends."
Handled by Charles and Jama Hedgecoth, the zoo's owners and founders, the three friendly giants appear to have have no comprehension of their animal differences.
"Baloo and Shere Khan are very close," says DIane.
"That is because they rise early, as Leo being a lion likes to spend most the day sleeping.
"It is wonderful and magical to see a giant American Black Bear put his arm around a Bengal tiger and then to see the tiger nuzzle up to the bear like a domestic cat.
"When Leo wakes up the three of them mess around for most of the day before they settle down to some food."
Surprisingly for three apex predators with the power to kill with a single bite or swipe of their paw, they are very relaxed around each other.
'"They eat, sleep and play together," said Jama Hedgecoth, founder of Noah's Ark zoo.
"As they treat each other as siblings they will lie on top of each other for heat and simply for affection.
...
"They are obviously not wild animals any more," said Charles.