Sigh Mei, a Bengal tigress, has an extraordinary story that defies expectations. Born an orphan after her mother’s death, zookeepers at her birth zoo took a bold step. They introduced the tiger cub to a local family of pigs, despite expert advice.
The mother pig welcomed Sigh Mei and her siblings, forming an unlikely yet heartwarming bond. As she grew, Sigh Mei played and fed alongside the piglets. Eight years later, piglets accidentally entered her cage. Instead of attacking, Sigh Mei played gently with them, recalling her piglet family.
This touching scene drew tourists worldwide. However, controversy arose when viral images showed piglets in tiger suits. Animal welfare activists found out that the zookeepers at Sri Racha Tiger Zoo in Thailand intentionally placed piglets with her after she lost her own cubs.
Sigh Mei’s story, despite the controversy, highlights the incredible bonds animals can form, challenging perceptions and showcasing compassion in the animal kingdom.