Watch The Touching Sighting Here:
Regular contributor Hayley Myburgh submitted this charming video to Latest Sightings. Hayley witnessed the happy occasion while on a game drive in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.
Mother And Cub
Hayley’s video starts with a view of a lioness and her cub standing by the side of the road. Looking over her shoulder, she seems to be ignoring her offspring.
Surprisingly, she then turns and walks away from her little one, making us wonder what is going on.
After walking a short distance, she stops. It seems like she is either looking or listening for something. What could it be? Does she sense prey nearby?
Look And Listen
With her head raised and ears cocked, she certainly has something on her mind. Lions are equipped with an incredible sense of hearing. By rotating their ear flaps, they can pinpoint the exact source of a sound.
Cub Follows
As her cub joins her, it’s clear the lioness is concerned about something when she starts making a low-volume call.
As she does, the camera pans quickly to the right, taking in the tall green grass that borders the road.
Movement In The Grass
Then, we see something moving through the lush vegetation. Its tawny gold colouring gives it away. It is another lion cub.
Shortly after, another cub joins it. Then, as the camera again pans to the right, we see another four cubs emerging through the long grass.
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Contact Calling
As the mother continues her soft calling, the cubs dutifully trot towards her, mewling as they do.
The mother’s soft vocalisations are known as contact calls, used to summon her offspring when they are hidden, lost or lagging behind.
Showing her loving patience, she makes sure that all the cubs are present.
Satisfied that all are present and accounted for, she turns, and the reunited family makes their way along the road.
A Tough Start
While lions are the largest predators in Africa, and live in large social groups called prides, lion cubs don’t necessarily have it easy. Far from it.
Born after a 108-day gestation period, lion cubs are completely helpless at birth. Born blind, the only defence they have in their mother’s absence is a spotted coat that provides a measure of camouflage.
Typically, lionesses give birth to 2-5 cubs, so a litter of 7, as is the case in the video, is exceptional. Their mother will have left the security of the pride to give birth in a hidden location.
There, they will remain hidden, occasionally for extended periods when Mum goes hunting. During this time, they are extremely vulnerable. Many wander off and get lost, while predators kill others.
To prevent discovery by predators, the lioness will move her litter from time to time. Any cub that lags during these moves may be left behind unintentionally.
At around six weeks old, the lioness will introduce her cubs to the rest of the pride. Once integrated, they are safer, but by no means assured of reaching adulthood.
An astonishing 50% of cubs die within their first year, while 80% will not reach maturity. Which makes this lioness’s patience and perseverance in keeping her cubs together all the more heart-warming.