Friendship is a term used among humans but animals have been redefining its meaning every now and then. Our pets define friendship for most of us but what about wild animals? We all have heard stories of the wild becoming companions with humans but could it be because they don’t have anywhere else to go? It could also be as they’ve never been with their kind, born and brought up under human care might have made them behave the way that they do.

Today we’ve picked up the astonishing story of one of the wildest creatures and you’ll be amused to know what makes it different from rest of them.

A Zoologist

Dolph C. Volker, a 50-year-old zoologist is a native American. Dolph loves animals and that was the reason for him to choose zoology as his field of interest. When we tell you about his life that he chose for himself just because of his passion for wildlife, you’ll be able to understand his dedication towards his work in a better way.

A Choice Of Life

Dolph has been working as a volunteer at the Cheetah Experience Breeding Centre, Bloemfontein, South Africa for more than 4 years now. From the day he started volunteering in South Africa, he has managed to move back and forth between the two continents in weeks’ intervals or even months’ intervals, depending on the requirement.

Gabriel, The Cheetah

The Cheetah Experience Breeding Centre brought in an 8-months-old Cheetah in their observation. The cub was found abandoned in the jungle due to unknown reasons and the zoologists named him as ‘Gabriel’. They nurtured him so that he could grow and soon join other cheetahs in the jungle. However, Gabriel was different from other wild animals living in that shelter.

Instant Friendship?

While the shelter was trying to make Gabriel, the cheetah, feel at home and nothing unusual, it is quite a challenge for any predator to get used to human beings around. Gabriel was going through the same phase at the time he met Dolph. However, there was something different as the two became friends instantly. Later Dolph told, “it was an absolute joy. We became super friends.” But that wasn’t all.

Strong Bond

As time passed by, Dolph used to take care of Gabriel while the cheetah was becoming more and more friendly with him they both shared a unique bond but it seemed like just another cheetah and a zoologist nurturing the wild animal. Though with time all the ordinary assumptions were to vanish.

A Year Of Togetherness

This time Dolph’s visit to South Africa was quite long as he was staying there for over a year now. Both became best friends and the year passed by quickly as they enjoyed each other’s company. Though the happy moments were about to get over soon.

Goodbye Friend!

Dolph was supposed to leave for America which meant that he has to bid goodbye to his best friend, Gabriel. And there was a surety about the fact that Dolph will never get a chance to see Gabriel again. Even if they do meet in the near future, possibilities were high that by then Gabriel would have moved ahead in his life and forgotten his best mate. However, the duo was about to beat all the odds.

Hello America!

Gabriel obviously isn’t the first cheetah, that Dolph spent time with, as he is an expert in his field. Dolph has been taking care of predators and loves his job which he has been doing for more than a decade. He knew once left, predators soon get used to their new carers and routine. But Gabriel was not like others as we already told you.

Back In Town?

After a few months, Dolph was returning back to South Africa for some work. He wasn’t even sure if he will see Gabriel this time as he was certain that the young fellow will not remember him anymore. And hence, nothing was sure yet. Trust us when we say these two are about to set an example for the world.

Encountering

The day arrived when Dolph finally went in to meet Gabriel. The cheetah’s reaction was making it clear that he does recognize his friend. Gabriel instantly ran towards Dolph and everyone was looking at it with jaws wide-open. He jumped on Dolph and smelled him and was licking all over his face. The next thing is just so heartwarming. As we already told you there’s so much in their friendship that’s left as the two were not gonna stay together for too long.

The Smart Cheetah

“It started when Gabriel was a cub. I remember what he used to like to do… putting his paws on my shoulder, laying on me, grooming me. He remembers all the special things we used to do and I remember what he used to like to do. You know, getting up close, putting his paws on my shoulder, laying on me and grooming me,” tells Dolph about his buddy. But Dolph couldn’t stay in South Africa for too long as he has to go back.

Volunteer Turned Intern

Dolph recently turned 52 and for now, he has started working for the Cheetah Experience as an intern. He takes care of Gabriel and other cheetahs for full time and looks after special cheetahs who are denied to be kept by other animal shelters. “I started off as a volunteer at Cheetah Experience and then became an intern. And now, Gabriel is my foundation animal for the project I want to begin myself,” told Dolph, in an interview.