When one of her cubs remained missing after the other cubs were found, she actually searched for the little one, and on finding it, tenderly carried it to safety in full view of Chris and other spectators.
Watch The Sighting:
If a video clip could be rated for cuteness factor, this one receives five stars. The breathtaking moment unfolded by the Sabie River, in its riverbed, where Chris had sat watching six small cubs lazing with two lionesses. Female lions in a pride will often raise the cubs together.
Near them were two herds of elephants, on either side of the river. “I thought if I wait long enough, the one herd is more than likely going to walk right to where these lions are, and from there, anything could happen.”
Elephants Disturb Lions’ Peace
Chris says that just as he had expected, about half an hour later, the herd of around twenty elephants suddenly started trumpeting and charging. They had realised they were in the presence of lions.
He says that the two lionesses quickly shot up the riverbank and onto the road, leaving the cubs behind. “All they could do was anxiously watch in hope that their cubs would be alright.”
Elephant Disruption Leaves Cubs Scattered
The elephants eventually moved away from the area, and the lionesses were now able to search for their cubs. However, the cubs, still tiny, were scattered everywhere and difficult to spot.
The riverbed presented a vast canvas of shrubs and bushes, and long grass. It provided many places for cubs of such small stature to hide.
One of the lionesses sat poised, looking towards the riverbed to catch a glimpse of the cubs. She then walked restlessly up and down, searching for the little ones.
Cubs Reappear At The Roadside
In a breathtaking moment, they finally emerged at the roadside. It had been a good half an hour since they had been separated from the lionesses, and this mother lioness was relieved, as were they.
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“At this point, there were a lot of cars around and crossing the road was a scary prospect for the cubs,” says Chris.
However, the cubs did what they had to do and walked across the tarmac, in full view of the cars.
It was a moment of cuteness overload for the motorists.
However, only five cubs were reunited with the lioness. One was still missing.
This was when Chris heard a faint cry. Isolated and fearful, the remaining little cub cried out for its mom with all its might.
However, there were too many cars around with engines running for the mother lioness to hear them.
Mother Returns For Missing Cub
However, while she disappeared for a moment, she had noticed one hadn’t returned. She soon reappeared by the roadside, making her way down to the riverbed to find the missing cub.
In a poignant moment, she soon returned from the riverbed area, having found the whimpering cub. She was carrying the wee thing in her mouth to safety.
No doubt the cub was relieved, as it was back in mom’s safe care.
Chris describes how no one there that day will forget the ‘happy lioness reunited with her young babies’.
Lionesses usually give birth to litters of two to three cubs, though they can have up to four cubs. These six cubs were possibly from two different litters, belonging to the two lionesses.