INTER-SPECIES ANIMAL friendship is one adorable thing, but inter-species animal parenting? Just too sweet.
A nursery dog at Cincinnati Zoo is currently caring for five tiny cheetah cubs after the death of their mother, Willow, a few weeks ago.
Willow passed away after complications from a cesarean birth, without which vets say all five of the cubs would have been lost too.
Blakely the Australian shepherd was brought in to support and snuggle the cubs in place of their mother, says their keeper Dawn Strasser:
His first job is to let the cubs climb on him, which they did as soon as they were put together. They need the exercise to build muscle tone and get their guts moving.
LOOK.
https://vine.co/v/ipqBIdWIq6K
Blakely has previously acted as a dad to several newborn zoo animals, including a takin (a goat-antelope type animal) and more cheetah cubs – he took to his parental role straight away, the zoo says.
As the cubs grow up, Blakely will act as a ‘teacher and role model’ to them, helping them learn how to jump on rocks and play gently.
Best dad ever. Watch them all cuddling here:
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