With no sheep to round up at The Seaview Lion Park in Port Elizabeth, Solo the Border Collie has turned to herding tigers instead. The four-and-a-half-year-old dog was raised with big cats, and considers them part of his pack.
Seaview Lion Park General Manager Ashley Gombert says Solo’s skills come in very handy. “(He) keeps his herding instincts, you can see that when we come to the dam and the tigers stray away out of their little area, then he’ll go and bring them back into position and bring them back towards the water.”
Travers Andrews says Solo is just doing what comes naturally. “Solo’s natural herding instincts and high drive is what makes him such a unique and integral member of the Seaview Lion park team. His lifelong bond with the tiger cubs has also allowed him to act as a guardian to such a threatened species.”
