- Title: Friends for life: puppy parents baby raccoon in Siberian zoo
- Date: 9th October 2019
- Summary: IRKUTSK, RUSSIA (OCTOBER 8, 2019) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PUPPY NAMED BROSHKA AND RACCOON NAMED MOSHKA IN THEIR ENCLOSURE JUMPING AS THEY WAIT FOR FOOD TO BE SERVED VARIOUS OF BROSHKA AND MOSHKA EATING FROM BOWL PUPPY BROSHKA CHEWING APPLE VARIOUS OF TOY (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VOLUNTEER, YEVGENIA RYZHOVA, SAYING: "They not only get along well, but they supplement each other, study each other and take over certain behaviours from each other. For example, the dog has already learnt how to climb on people. The raccoon is a better teacher than the dog I need to say. Have you ever seen a dog who climbs like that? And we do have one!" VARIOUS OF ANIMALS PLAYING VARIOUS OF VISITORS IN MINI-ZOO WATCHING ANIMALS PLAYING VARIOUS OF MOSHKA PLAYING WITH TOY BROSHKA LOOKING ON (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VOLUNTEER, YEVGENIA RYZHOVA, SAYING: "As for food habits - the raccoon gets fruit on top of dog food. It is necessary for its growth and development. And the dog also grabs the apples, the bananas, holds it in its mouth with extreme suspicion, looks at the raccoon who stuffs himself with it - and also starts eating!" VARIOUS OF BROSHKA AND MOSHKA PLAYING MOSHKA WATCHING FROM ABOVE BROSHKA PLAYING / MOSHKA WATCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) VOLUNTEER, YEVGENIA RYZHOVA, SAYING (SPEAKING ABOUT RACCOON CLIMBING): "The dog is very disappointed by it because its paws are not that grippy. And when the raccoon climbs somewhere on top, the dog sits downstairs sadly and sometimes even starts yawling. It's heartbreaking to watch even for me! I have no idea how they see each other. Does the dog think he is a raccoon? Does raccoon think he is a dog?" BROSHKA AND MOSHKA PLAYING IN ENCLOSURE
- Embargoed: 23rd October 2019 14:01
- Keywords: Russia animals Siberian zoo raccoon and puppy animal friendship
- Location: IRKUTSK, RUSSIA
- City: IRKUTSK, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA001B0DLVLL
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Sharing is caring for a baby raccoon Moshka and its puppy age-mate Broshka, two residents of Siberian mini-zoo who became best friends after the keepers paired them up.
The baby animals, now at the age of about three months, not only share their enclosure, toys and food but also supplement each other by sharing some behaviours and habits.
Moshka, who was born in a different zoo, was separated from his family after his mother could not cope with five cubs. He was brought to the mini-zoo in Irkutsk and had no one to play with.
The zookeepers decided to find him a doggy friend as dogs are less dangerous for raccoons than cats in terms of viruses and diseases. The choice fell on Broshka, a black Petit Brabancon puppy, a breed known for its friendliness, who turned out to be a great teacher for a little raccoon.
Moshka used to only take a bottle until meeting Broshka, who taught him to eat solid food. The puppy also helps his raccoon buddy with the hygiene, leaking the porridge off Moshka after meals.
Despite lacking grippy paws, Broshka, on the other hand, tries to imitate the raccoon by climbing on people and places.
The keepers at the zoo say they will keep Moshka and Broshka together for as long as they get along with each other.
(Production: Masha Vassilieva, Malgorzata Wojtunik) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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