Even though Kenya’s Masai Mara is a protected area, it doesn’t mean that our big cat cousins don’t get into trouble. Recently a young lion cub got himself into a life threatening predicament when he slipped over the edge  and  was clinging for survival on a cliff wall above a ravine.  The cub’s mother’s love and determination to save him was captured by photographer Jean-Francois Lagrot.

The lion cub hangs on for dear life on the side of a cliff while his mother contemplates how to rescue her son.

Photo by Jean-Francois Lagrot

Four lionesses and one male lion look over the edge  of the vertical drop, calculating how to scale the wall to rescue the crying cub.

Photo by Jean-Francois Lagrot

Using  all of her might and muscle, the mother lion edges her way down towards her crying son.

Photo by Jean-Francois Lagrot

Strategically, the mother circles beneath her son, so that she is able to extend her reach to rescue him by gently grabbing ahold of him with her jaws. Then she begins the equally dangerous journey back up the cliff with her exhausted son in tow.

Photo by Jean-Francois Lagrot

Once again on solid ground, the mother consoles her son, by cleaning him up a bit and letting him know that he is safe for the moment.

Photo by Jean-Francois Lagrot

Never underestimate the power of love.

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