Last Updated on 12 January 2024 by Vanessa
In the Leningrad Zoo (Saint Petersburg Zoo) in Russia, a lynx named Linda and a cat named Dusya share the same enclosure. They sleep together, groom each other, and play together. They are best friends.
Visitors of Leningrad Zoo now have the opportunity to witness this unique and heartwarming friendship firsthand. These animals serve as a reminder that true friendships can transcend boundaries and defy expectations, and that they can be found in the unlikeliest of places.
The unlikely friendship of a cat and a lynx in the Leningrad Zoo (Saint Petersburg Zoo)
Linda the lynx and Dusya the cat’s unlikely friendship
In St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia, an adventurous stray calico cat found its way into the local zoo, unaware of the remarkable encounter that awaited it.
The homeless feline initially ventured into the lynx’s cage to find food.
In the first few days, the two animals interacted under the supervision of specialists, as the zoo staff were concerned that they might not get along.
But the two animals got used to each other and even started playing together. Soon, they forged a close and unlikely friendship, transcending the barriers of size and species that had previously confined them to their respective worlds. They have been inseparable ever since.
Best friends
Linda and Dusya sleep together, groom each other, and play together.
Despite the cat often pilfering food from her larger neighbor, they never quarrel.
Recognizing the bond between the cat and the lynx, the Leningrad Zoo decided to adopt the stray, allowing them to stay together every day within the zoo’s premises. They have been living together in the same enclosure since 2007.
They’ve known each other since they were both approximately two months old, and during their time together, they’ve been separated only once, during one month..
Their enclosure
Linda and Dusya’s enclosure consists of two rooms, allowing them to spend time separately.
A special heating and a house with a narrow entrance, inaccessible to the lynx, were also installed for the cat to prevent Linda from taking Dusya’s food.
A sign hangs on the enclosure: “Domestic cat Dusya. Lives with her friend, lynx Linda.”
Visitors constantly take pictures of them.
Tips for visiting Leningrad Zoo
Do you want to visit Linda and Dusya in person? That’s certainly doable, because the cage of these cute friends is visible to everyone.
Moreover, the Leningrad Zoo, also known as the Saint Petersburg Zoo, is definitely worth your while, too. It was established in 1865, making it one of the oldest zoos in Russia. It houses over 2,000 animals and represents more than 300 species.
Address:
Park Aleksandrovskiy, 1, St Petersburg, 197198, Russia.
Opening hours:
Leningrad Zoo is open every day of the week (including weekends) between 10:00 am and 06:00 pm
2024 update
On January 3, 2020, at the age of 13, Dusya the cat sadly passed away. She had been living with her “big sister” for over 12 years, and they had been inseparable up until the end.
They exemplified true friendship to everyone who visited the Leningrad Zoo.
Now, Linda the lynx is orphaned, and the zoo personnel says she mourns alone in her cage.
More unlikely friendships from the animal kingdom
If you like this story, also check out the book Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom by Jennifer S. Holland.
From a cat and a bird to a mare and a fawn, the stories in this book highlight the unexpected ways animals connect. National Geographic magazine writer Jennifer Holland explores documented accounts such as Koko the gorilla‘s friendship with All Ball the kitten and the endearing relationship between Owen the hippo and Mzee the tortoise. Predators even defy expectations by befriending their prey, like an Indian leopard seeking solace with a calf or a lioness nurturing a baby oryx.
Through vivid storytelling, the author delves into the details and progression of each friendship, providing insights into the underlying motivations. For instance, she unravels the reasons behind the young leopard’s yearning for maternal comfort and how a baby oryx evokes the lioness’ nurturing instincts.
The book also analyzes the surprising understanding between different species and how they can interpret each other’s body language.
Complete with captivating full-color photographs, Unlikely Friendships takes readers on a global journey, showcasing the most extraordinary cross-species friendships. These heartwarming stories remind us that even amidst differences, connections can form, transcending the boundaries of the animal kingdom.
Pin this story about an unlikely friendship between a cat and a lynx in the Leningrad Zoo in Russia!
