The story behind this cheetah cub-puppy friendship going viral on social media
Kris and Remus are developing a close friendship at Cincinnati Zoo.
A video of a cheetah cub and a puppy enjoying a “BFF sleepover” has gone viral.
The pair, Kris and Remus, are seen snuggling up together and grooming each other in the clip released by Cincinnati Zoo.
While the friendship may seem unusual, the pairing is not uncommon at zoos and will ensure Kris, the young cheetah, is able to grow up healthily.
Kris was the only cub to survive a litter born at the zoo earlier this year.
If this happens to big cats at the zoo, the surviving cub or cubs will often be hand-reared by keepers.
The cats are then paired up with a suitable dog who will help provide companionship to them as they grow, replicating the relationship they would have with their siblings.
When that happens to Kris, Remus – a local rescue dog – will be adopted by a member of zoo staff.
According to Cincinnati Zoo, it has had “six successful” big cat and dog pairings.
