New rules can't split bear, lion and tiger

An unlikely trio of a bear, lion and tiger who have lived together almost since birth remain together years after US government regulations threatened to split up the group.

The unique collective known as 'BLT' by their keepers at the Noah's Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust Grove, Georgia have shared an enclosure at the park since they were seized from a drug dealer's home during a 2001 raid.

The friends were initially separated but their distress was obvious as they moped about and refused to eat.

PHOTOS: BLT, still living together in harmony

Baloo the bear, Leo the lion and Bengal tiger Shere Kahn were reunited and they have thrived since.

Although there is a clear pecking order with Baloo at the top and Khan at the bottom, the predators play together and even sleep in the same wooden 'clubhouse'.

The trio made headlines around the world in 2013 when new federal government regulations required Noah's Ark to double the height of the eight-foot fences that surround their animals' enclosures.

The work was estimated to cost up to half a million dollars and was out of reach of the not-for-profit organisation for which the park would close and the animals would be separated.

That's when staff at the park decided to launch a public campaign to appeal for the funds needed to comply with the new law and keep the best friends together.

Noah's Ark entered the CrowdRise Challenge offering $95,000 to any non-profit organisation that could raise the most money in five weeks.

The sanctuary used Twitter to ask for help to #RaiseTheFence and urged supporters to tweet the question, "If the #BLT can live together, why can't we?"

The public rallied to the cause, donating enough money for Noah's Ark to take out the competition and make the required changes to keep their beloved trio together.

The animals now all aged 13, live in a 2.5 hectare enclosure with a natural waterway running through it.

They can now be viewed by the public who became captivated by the group that are reportedly the only bear, lion and tiger living together in captivity anywhere in the world.