Tiger cubs and wolf cubs would never meet in the wild, but they enjoy each other's company at The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS), a 50 acre preserve in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and home to rare and exotic animals.

The facility is home to Suriya and Roscoe (an orangatan and hound dog who are friends), wolves, tigers and other animals. When the sanctuary had a litter of tigers and a litter of wolves come at the same time, TIGERS decided to put them together at three months old to better aid their interactions with humans. 

The founder of TIGERS, Doc Bhagavan said: "Even though they will have spent eight months together, after that time they will have to be separated. The size difference and species difference will become apparent." After one year the tiger cubs will be expected to weigh around 250 pounds compared to the year-old wolves at 180 pounds.

"They bonded so well and have become very used to one another. The wolves are a bit bolder than the tigers at the moment, nibbling their ears and playing a bit rougher, but that will change as the tigers grow older and larger," said Bhagavan. 

"We surround the tigers with cuddly toys so that they can make a nest, and the wolves are always trying to invade and share that space with the tigers. It is heart-warming to watch them now and to think that in a few months time that they will no longer be near to each other. It is quite sad, but they will enjoy their time together."

The animals have all grown up since their short period of friendship was caught on film.

• tiger
• Wolf
• cubs