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A mother like no other
She's never had puppies of her own, but this sweet Labrador has been a mother to a variety of different animals.
Fri, Oct 21 2011 at 1:31 PM
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ARE YOU MY MOTHER?: Lisha cuddles with two abandoned tiger cubs. (Photo: ZUMA Press)
Lisha, a Labrador, is world famous for her mothering skills even though she’s never birthed any pups of her own. The dog, who lives at Oudtshoorn’s Cango Wildlife Ranch in South Africa, has played surrogate mom to more than 30 animals, including cheetah and tiger cubs, potbelly pigs, a porcupine, a pygmy hippo, a weasel and a barn owl.
Rob Hall, director of the wildlife refuge, says that Lisha domesticates the wild animals and serves as a bridge between them and humans. “They adjust more easily to her, and when they see that she trusts us, they are more at ease around us," he said.
Hall and his wife, Nadine, said they noticed early on that regardless of the whether Lisha encountered a kitten or a baby hippo, she treated them all the same — like a child that needed a mother. "She would just walk up and lick the creature she was caring for. Although in the case of the porcupine that was more amusing," Rob Hall told The Daily Mail.
Check out some other photos of Lisha and her many "children."
Photos: ZUMA Press
Also on MNN: 16 unlikely animal friendships
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awwwww
amazing. its wonderful that animals are able to do this, I just wish people could do the same.
Feeding to a child and feeling as mother is a heavenly wish of every female of earth.
having a pet gives another quality of loving,
its always nice to have one
People should learn from the animals. We have a lot to learn from them, that is for sure!!
I truely believe dogs can be every living things best friend!
I love Lisha and the wonderful animals like her who have a big heart and teach us humans sometimes what is important. Thank you Lisha!
She is so adorable. Thank you for sharing this.
This is so beautiful!
She is so awesome. They will always love and respect her for caring for them.
most beautiful thing i've heard.
This is the most adorable thing ever!
Labrador dogs are the most friendly dogs whith others animals, I had one and war friend og a duck , rabbits and a turtle and never bite them!
What a great set of photos!
These mothers love their child like his own. No need to be their own child.
Not just among humans,a mothers love can be seen in every creation of GOD!!!
Lovely;just hope this isn't one of those places that breed big cats etc so they can be released and then hunted in the name of sport.
White tigers are rare yes but often happen and tend to be more often rejected by their mothers so it is unlikely that that is just a publicity stunt
they're rare but mostly bred for show its mostly un-natural for white tigers to exist. they are inbred like ligers and have many health problems
actually white tigers never occur in nature. they are bred and imbread until a good one come ous, and is sold to circuses, zoos, etc... sadly :( so this is most likely a breeder rescue
I know many stories of Rhodesian Ridgebacks being wonderful surrogate mothers to many wild animals. Even in the wild odd mothers take in stray animals. Too bad most people only concentrate on our different appearances.
It is such a wonderful thing i have ever heard of. Lisha has got a BIG HEART unlike humans. It has shown love and affection to all types of young ones even though they are far related species. On the contrary nowadays, humans do exhibit a different attitude even when it is needed to show love and affection under certain situations.
It doesn't get any cuter than that!
THE CUTENESS IS KILLING ME!!!!!
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