Whether you’re an animal lover or just in need of a smile, dive into these precious moments of wildlife and meet the little stars that are sure to bring joy to your week and make the world a happier place! ?
10. Crab Takes on Pride of Lion
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
A tiny crab attempts to cross a riverbed, unaware that it’s about to face a pride of lions. Its movement catches the eye of one curious lion, who follows it, sniffing inquisitively and wondering what strange toy has crossed its path. Soon, other lions join the game, and the crab finds itself surrounded by towering giants. Despite the overwhelming odds, the fiercely brave little crab raises its pincers and continues its journey undeterred.
9. Leopard Carries Tiny Newborn in Her Mouth
Taken by: Daniel Bailey
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
A female leopard is seen gracefully walking along a road, carrying her tiny newborn cub gently in her mouth. With tender care, she pauses to place the cub down momentarily, adjusting her grip to ensure the cub’s comfort. Leopard mothers are exceptionally protective of their cubs, frequently relocating them to different spots to shield them from predators. They conceal their young in dense vegetation, rocky outcrops, or tree hollows, ensuring their utmost safety.
8. Baby Rhino Tries Making Friends
Taken by: Michael Botes
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
A baby rhino, bursting with energy and curiosity, playfully chases a herd of wildebeest, bringing joy to those lucky enough to witness this rare and heartwarming scene. While its mother was more focused on food, the baby rhino had a different agenda – running, playing, and mock-charging the wildebeest. It is common for baby rhinos to engage in playful activities like this. Their clumsy, enthusiastic movements are both endearing and entertaining.
7. Hyena Cub Comes Out of the Den to Drink Milk
Taken by: Victoria Craddock
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
An adorably cute hyena cub timidly pokes its head out of the den as its mother returns, bobbing its head up and down nervously to ensure it’s safe. Once the mother signals the all-clear, the cub emerges and begins to nurse, standing in full view. Female hyenas produce incredibly nutrient-rich milk, packed with protein and fat. This supercharged milk helps their cubs grow quickly and become strong, even in tough environments. It’s a fantastic adaptation that gives the little ones a great start in life, helping them thrive in the wild.
6. Baby Baboons Can’t Stop Scratching
Taken by: Mark Fox
Filmed at: Kruger National Park
Prepare for a cuteness overload featuring these irresistibly tiny baby baboons. If their adorable eyes are not enough, the sighting only gets cuter when the smallest baby scratches its backside and jumps around with its sibling. ? The baby baboons are so tiny that they stick close to their parents, clinging to them and showering them with affection. Baboon parents provide exceptional care, ensuring their little ones feel safe and loved while teaching them essential survival skills.
5. Newborn Calf Learns to Walk
Taken by: Michael Botes
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
An adorable newborn wildebeest calf takes its first steps just minutes after birth. The baby wobbles and topples over but quickly learns to stand independently, showcasing its remarkable resilience and determination. In the wild, it’s super important for baby wildebeest to stand up quickly after birth. This helps them stay close to their mom and the herd, which keeps them safe from predators like lions and hyenas. Plus, being able to move early means they can learn survival skills faster and keep up with the herd as they search for food and water. Standing up soon also strengthens the bond with their mom, who will protect and guide them. All these factors give the little wildebeest a much better chance of thriving in the wild.
4. Lion Cubs Play Before Drinking from Mom
Taken by: Graeme Mitchley
Filmed at: Kruger National Park
Three cute little lion cubs play with one another before having a much-needed drink from Mom in the middle of the road. Three adorable lion cubs play with one another before taking a much-needed drink from their mom in the middle of the road. Their ferociously cute little snarls are simply irresistible. The cubs roll on the ground, nibble each other, and put on the most charming show ever.
3. Baby Elephants Sand Bathing
Taken by: Nic Nel
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
A heartwarming scene unfolds as the young elephant calves of the herd engage in playful mischief. They joyfully sand-bathe, roll in the dirt, and sit on each other, creating a delightful display of their carefree and spirited nature. These playful behaviors are essential for their development, helping them build social bonds, learn important skills, and strengthen their muscles.
2. Turtle Chases Lion from Waterhole
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
If you ever think you are out-sized, then how is this for motivation? This little terrapin showed the lion who’s boss. This is the rare, almost confusing, moment when two lions quenching their thirst are disrupted by a seemingly aggressive terrapin who is not happy with any visitors in his part of town. Undeterred by the massive predator before it, the terrapin is far more interested in the remnants of a meal clinging to the lion’s chin hairs. The terrapin relentlessly targets the lion’s chin, and eventually, the lions have had enough and leave.?
1. Cutest Leopard Cub Wants Mom’s Attention
Taken by: Jaco Joubert
Filmed at: MalaMala Game Reserve
Two of the cutest leopard cubs you will ever see are tucked away in a rocky alcove. One of the cubs, showing a bit of bravery, climbs up to join its mother at the top of the rock. What follows is an endearing display of motherly love and affection. When the mother stops licking the cub, it gently swats at her face, as if to say, “Give me more!”