In the animal kingdom, scientifically inexplicable events sometimes occur, suggesting that animals are far more spiritual and intelligent than we're accustomed to thinking. The much-talked-about relationship between a tiger and a goat is proof of this.
What made Amur and Timur famous?
The residents of Primorsky Safari Park became famous in 2015 for their strange friendship. It all began when a tiger was brought lunch. To keep the predator sharp, they occasionally treated him to live rabbits and turkeys. One day, it was the goat's turn, but he decided he wouldn't go down without a fight and put up a fight as best he could.
Whether the tiger appreciated its brave adversary or wasn't particularly hungry, the next morning, park staff discovered the goat in charge of the tiger's den, while the tiger slept forlornly on the roof of its home. What happened next: the animals walked together, played, ate, and, contrary to all the laws of the taiga, lived peacefully in the same territory. The reserve staff also came to respect the goat, and from being a nameless meal for the tiger, he became the legendary Timur.
What do zoologists say about the friendship between Amur and Timur?
Zoologists couldn't explain this phenomenon scientifically. Experts insisted it shouldn't happen. Tigers eat goats, and that's the law of nature. Scientists didn't believe in the sublime friendship between predators and ungulates. Something had happened to Amur's instincts. Either he'd changed his character while in captivity, or he'd had enough and given his meal a temporary reprieve.
Why was Timur evicted from Amur's cage?
The irony is that the animals' relationship ended because of the goat. Instead of showing humility and gratitude to the magnanimous Amur, Timur became brazen—he butted and attacked the tiger. And he paid for it. This time, the predator decided to assert its natural dignity and fought back against the foolish Timur, giving his friend a little roughhousing.
What's a training measure for the tiger is a nightmare and a horror for the goat. He had to be removed from his enclosure and undergo treatment for some time. Safari park staff decided to put an end to the experiment and separated the would-be friends forever.
How are Timur and Amur doing now?
Amur currently lives in the Primorsky enclosure, but Timur recently died. He died on November 5th from natural causes. The tiger wasn't to blame. The animals had lived separately for several years, and neither showed any signs of separation stress. Both were kept in good conditions, ate well, and reproduced successfully. Perhaps Timur suffered emotionally, and for that reason, he didn't become a long-lived goat.
