Heartwarming picture shows lioness HUGGING man who saved her life

Val Gruener rescued Sirga the lioness from certain death after she was abandoned by her tribe as a cub

Strong bond: Sirga embraces Val, who cared for her when she was abandoned

With what seems to be a huge smile on her face, a lioness hugs the man who saved her in this amazing moment captured on camera.

The story of Sirga and conservationist Valentin Gruener was one of the biggest viral hits of 2014, with a video of the beautiful beast leaping into his arms viewed almost 10 million times on YouTube.

Their unlikely friendship began when cub Sirga was driven out of her pride, and faced certain death alone on the plains.

Life saver: Val found Sirga when she had been kicked out by her pride

But she was spotted by Valentin, who rescued her and took her into the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana.

As their bond grew, every time Val opened the gate to her enclosure he was hugged by his feline friend.

And now, three years on, the 140kg lioness and conservationist remain the best of friends, and Valentin was named on Google's 2014 inspirational list for his remarkable work with Sirga.

Best friends: Val and Sirga's story has now been made into a documentary

Their fascinating tale has now been made into a documentary series, but with an even more incredible twist - the man must teach the lioness to hunt.

This six-part film will tell the story of their powerful bond.