Zookeepers held off on intervening, unsure what to do. The lion showed no signs of hostility, in fact, it appeared comforted. One of the keepers recognized the behavior immediately.
Just weeks earlier, the same lion had lost its only cub to illness. Since then, it had been quiet, depressed, and uninterested in eating. Staff had been worried about its health and morale.
Now, for the first time in days, the lion was active, calm, and even affectionate. All because of a stray shiba inu puppy that had wandered into its enclosure.