Woman swims with tiger in viral video, internet stunned by unlikely friendship
A viral video featuring Rio Lilly, a woman from California, swimming with a tiger named Lakshman has captured the internet's attention.
In the age of social media, unusual and captivating animal videos frequently go viral. Recently, a clip featuring a woman swimming with a tiger has captured the internet's attention. The woman in the video, Rio Lilly from California, USA, is seen enjoying a swim with a tiger in a swimming pool. Rio operates the Myrtle Beach Safari, a zoo home to a variety of animals including elephants, lions, tigers, and gorillas. The zoo allows visitors to comfortably interact and take pictures with these animals, which are known for their gentle behavior.
The viral video shows the tiger, named Lakshman, sitting calmly on Rio’s back as they swim together. Rio appears delighted, even kissing the tiger on his cheeks. Lakshman gazes at her briefly before settling comfortably on her back. Rio shared this heartwarming moment on her Instagram, captioning the video, "My tiger friend Lakshman." The post has quickly gained traction, captivating viewers worldwide.
Since being posted, the video has amassed over 2.3 million views and more than 100,000 likes, with thousands of users sharing the clip. The comment section is filled with varied reactions. One user, Shama, commented, "This is the tiger I want in my life." Another user, Suraj, remarked, "Look at Lakshman, bhai, how happily he is bathing in the swimming pool." However, some viewers expressed fear upon seeing the tiger.
This isn’t Rio’s first encounter with animals on social media. She frequently shares photos and videos of her interactions with the zoo's residents. Recently, she posted a video featuring two gorillas. In the clip, Rio, dressed in a green sleeveless top, is seen hugging and kissing the gorillas, who affectionately return her gestures. She captioned the video, "I love these babies so much."