On an island off the coast of China, a little macaque nestles its head on a dove. Three months before, after the macaque had strayed from its mother, it was found and taken in by the staff of an animal protection centre. It soon became friends with the white dove, which had also been adopted by centre staff. For two months they ate together and slept together, before both were released back into the wild Photograph: Photoshot/CNImaging
When piglet Paulinchen was found stranded from her family, Katjinga the rhodesian ridgeback took to her and treated her like her own pup. After a few days Paulinchen was returned to her mother, but she and Paulinchen still have a quick nuzzle when they see each other Photograph: Fame/Barcroft
In Bali, a lonely macaque cares for a stray kitten. The young male macaque would groom, hug and nuzzle his feline friend, and the kitten was content to be carried around by him Photograph: Anne Young
At the Taman Safari Zoo in Indonesia, one-month-old Sumatran tiger twins and a pair of baby orangutans shared a room in the zoo’s nursery. The orangutans and the tigers became the best of friends during daily play times and spent naptime cuddling and nuzzling. They were separated when they were five months old Photograph: Associated Press
Themba the elephant lost his mother when he was just six months old. Vets found a surrogate for Themba - a sheep named Albert. They had a bit of a rocky start, but once they accepted each other, were inseparable until Themba sadly died from a twisted intestine Photograph: Rex USA
A six-month-old greyhound puppy named Torque and a baby owl named Shrek formed a bizarre friendship at Ringwood Raptor and Reptile Centre in the New Forest in August 2008. Torque became Shrek's adoptive father after the young owl was taken away from her mother for her own protection Photograph: Rex USA
These two affectionate housemates, Lucky the cat and Coco the cockatoo, love to chill out together. Coco sticks her tongue in the little cat's ear, or kneads and nuzzles her when she rolls on to her back Photograph: Elizabeth Anne Sosbe
On a farm in Texas, a pitbull named Sharky, a cat named Max and a brood of chicks hang out together on a warm afternoon. Sharky loves to protect small furred and feathered creatures Photograph: Helen J Arnold
