A video of a hyena cub and a corgi playing has left the internet in shock with viewers amazed by the unlikely duo.
The footage, shared by wildlife rescue volunteer Gabriella (@user7936031421) on TikTok, has garnered 5.7 million views and nearly 370,000 likes.
It shows the pair play-fighting, and it isn't long before the canine puts the baby hyena in its place.
When the baby hyena starts gently nipping the dog, the corgi tolerates a few bites before it starts to jostle back and the two animals proceed to play and wrestle with each other.
The caption explains that the hyena has a tragic backstory after being "almost killed" by its mother.
"He will be hand-fed and either released into the wild, or if he's too tame to survive, he will stay at the orphanage," the caption continues, adding that, "brown hyenas are nearly an endangered species, and he's being well taken care of by people with real wildlife expertise,"
Replying to @Lolly the last video was a joke!!!! I volunteered at a wildlife rescue in Africa and this baby was found there almost killed by his mum. he will be hand fed and either released into the wild or if hes too tame to survive he will stay at the orphanage. brown hyenas are nearly an endangered species and he’s very much well taken care of by people with actual wildlife knowledge rather than a bunch of online randos giving advice. instead of hating go donate to a Wildlife Orohanage and NEVER try to domesticate a hyena
♬ Girl, so confusing - Charli xcxWhile a corgi and a hyena are worlds apart, hyenas are described as "doglike carnivores" on the Encyclopaedia Britannica website. They are found in Asia and Africa and are best known for their scavenging habits.
Gabriella, who is volunteering in Zimbabwe, Africa, has shared more videos of the cub, who is being hand-reared by humans. From watching the adorable videos, it may be hard to believe that the cub will grow up to kill its own food.
Britannica explains that hyenas in East and Southern Africa will chase wildebeests, gazelles and zebras at speeds of up to 65 km (40 miles) per hour for 3 km.
It is a team effort, as "dozens might be in on the kill," with one or two starting the chase and many more joining in to catch the prey. But as mentioned in the caption, if this cub is unable to integrate with other hyenas, he will stay at the The Wildlife Orphanage.
In the caption, Gabriella clarifies that she is not trying to domesticate the animal and emphasizes how he's "well taken care of by people with actual wildlife knowledge."
So far, the September 1 video has almost 2,000 comments, and it's safe to say TikTok users are impressed by the way the corgi can hold its own.
"The corgi is so brave," said one commenter, receiving 49,100 likes. Another noted, "That side-eye was pretty personal."
A third user joked: "Imagine the corgi going to the dog park with some STORIES, and the other dogs think they're making it up."
"It's good that the doggo is teaching boundaries," said a fourth commenter, while another added: "The corgi [is, for real] correcting him like, 'Bro, you need to chill [right now].'
Newsweek reached out to Gabriella (@user7936031421) for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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