Russian zoo looking for ‘wife’ for Timur the goat separated from tiger friend

Society & Culture February 08, 2016, 13:22

Timur the goat was sharing the tiger’s enclosure for about two months. The animals formed an unusual bond and spent hours together

VLADIVOSTOK, February 8. /TASS/. The safari park in Russia’s Far East is looking for a female companion for one of its famous inmates, Timur the goat who was separated from his tiger friend Amur in late January.

Dmitry Mezentsev, the park’s director, said the first contender to win the heart of Timur - supposed to be the tiger’s lunch but making friends with him instead - was brought to the zoo from the Far East city of Nakhodka.

Two other female goats will arrive at the zoo soon, Mezentsev said.

“Timur will choose his wife himself,” he added. 

Timur was sharing the tiger’s enclosure for about two months. The animals formed an unusual bond and spent hours together.

The safari park was publishing daily online reports about their friendship for thousands of Amur and Timur fans in Russia and abroad and even starting selling T-shirts, mugs and magnets bearing the images of the famous couple.

The friendship suddenly ended on January 26 when the animals had a fight. The goat was slightly injured by his striped pal and taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment.

“Timur has fully recovered. He now lives in the park and can walk freely among the visitors,” Mezentsev said. 

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