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.
one pulled back photo showing the whole cliff would have eased my doubting mind’s feeling of the dramatic writing being overblown….nice photos no matter what
A loving mother would sacrifice for their children.
As the saying goes, love conquers all.
Just beautiful!
Aren’t the photographs amazing?
nice
The mother lion was super smart how she calculated her path to rescue the cub. Just brilliant.
Pretty much any Mom’s worst nightmare. Thanks for sharing.
So happy that there was a happy ending. xoxo
AMEN…
~phew~ Big relief. That poor little lion had to have been exhausted from holding on. And his mom is super strong.
Truly amazing; wouldn’t any mother do that for their child?!! I’d hope so!!
I certainly think they would try their best. My mom has had to rescue me from time to time, but nothing like this yet.