You might expect them to fight like cats and dogs - but this lion cub and Bloodhound are the best of friends.
These amazing pictures show the special bond between 18-month-old Norman the dog and Bhubesi, six months, at the Tshukudu Game Reserve in South Africa.
The massive puppy was brought to the spot, in the north of the country, to viciously chase off poachers, and immediately took the cub under his wing.
The feline joins the dog on walks, even taking his lead in his mouth and trying to boss the strong pooch around.
Special bond: These amazing pictures show the special bond between 18-month-old Bloodhound Norman and Bhubesi, six months, at the Tshukudu Game Reserve in South Africa
And when head ranger Jaco Venter, who has raised the cub from three weeks old, comes between the unlikely pair, Bhubesi even fights for Norman's attention.
The scenes were captured by wildlife photographer Stu Porter who was in the region last week on one of the photographic safari trips he runs.
He said: 'Little Bhubesi was rejected by his mother and is being hand raised at the reserve by Jaco and his girlfriend Wendy.
Come with me: The feline joins the dog on walks, even taking his lead in his mouth and trying to boss the strong pooch around
He's mine: When head ranger Jaco Venter, who has raised the cub from three weeks old, comes between the unlikely pair, Bhubesi fights for Norman's attention
'Norman is a new arrival at the reserve and has been trained to track poachers, which has been on the increase in recent times in South Africa.
'Jaco and Wendy are raising both of them and the pals share their big back garden at the moment.
'Right now Norman is the boss despite Bhubesi believing he probably is. But give it a year or so and Bhubesi really will be as he starts to develop.'
Stu, 36, took the snaps at the private game reserve, near the town of Hoedspruit, while the unlikely pair were on a morning walk.
The massive puppy was brought to the spot, in the north of the country, to viciously chase off poachers, and immediately took the cub under his wing
Stu added: 'The walk helps train the dog to be out in the bush and the lion comes along as he likes to follow his buddy.
'They are always very friendly, except at meal times where instinct takes over - but then they are fed separately.
'It's amazing to watch how close their bond has become and I'm looking forward to going back and seeing how it develops.'
Wildlife photographer Stu Porter said Norman is 'the boss' despite Bhubesi believing he is but as the cub grows bigger, things will change
by dailymail.co.uk
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