They say the best kind of friendships are the most unlikely - as proven by this unusual

animal duo.



Captured on camera, baby rhino Gertje and lovable sheep, Lammie, show their incredible

bond by skipping and playing together during a walk outside.



The heart-warming footage, taken by assistant curator, Karien Smit, shows white rhino,

Gertle, trying to copy its best friend's behaviour by hopping around like a lamb.



As the Dorpa sheep springs up and down the dusty trail, the orphaned rhino is seen

getting excited as it spins in circles trying to mimic its steps.



Tragically, three-month-old Gertje was rescued after it was found lying next to the dead

body of his mother, who had been brutally killed by poachers for her horn.



Gertje, or Little G as he is now known, was then sent to Hoedspruit Endangered Species

Centre, in Pretoria, South Africa, where he was introduced to Lammie.



Since then the adorable pair have become inseparable and now eat, rest and play

together barely leaving each other's side.



Gretna Scheepers, the manager at the centre, said: "As soon as the two bonded Gertjie

was very relaxed and content, he now had a 24/7 companion.



"They are best friends and companions, they are together almost 24 hours of a day and

actually do everything together.



"They definitely pick up on each other's behaviour, Lammie for example will 'play' with the

ball just the way Gertjie would and if Gertjie is sleeping, Lammie will sleep as well.



"We noticed the behaviour when Gertjie and Lammie got excited while playing, both

started hopping around.





[There's a one-day-old baby rhino in Scotland and he's pretty adorable]





"If they are excited or content that is when they start to play. Normally, they would be relaxed and grazing but after going for a run or a mud bath you can definitely see that they are excited and very playful.



"Some people think that Gertjie was aggressive towards Karien, but this in fact is not true

at all.



"In the video you will notice that Gertjie is very happy and playing with his care taker and

his sheep companion."























































































View photos Lammie the dorpa sheep and Gertje the rhino More

View photos The unlikely pairing on a walk together More