What This Lion Does to This Man After Being Let Out of Its Cage Has Sent the Footage Mega-Viral

A video posted online late last month shows the moment a rescued lion is let out of its cage by a man who helped raise the lioness as a cub.

The footage, which has amassed more than 2.5 million views on YouTube, shows Valentin Gruener revisit the lion at the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana. Immediately upon opening the cage, the lioness jumps on the man and embraces in him in a giant hug.

[sharequote align="center"]"This is one of the best experiences of my life!"[/sharequote]

"This is one of the best experiences of my life!" cameraman Jonathan Hawkins wrote on YouTube. "I love animals so much, seeing this made me so happy."

The footage was initially uploaded in August, but appeared to be going viral again this week.

Watch the Incredible Footage:

(H/T: Viral Viral Videos)

—

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter