With her tiny cub held firmly by the scruff of the neck, a courageous lioness fearlessly navigates a treacherous river crossing. Despite the challenging conditions, the plucky mother carefully guides her nine-week-old offspring across the choppy waters, hopping from one makeshift stepping stone to another.
In these breathtaking photographs, we witness the heart-stopping scene as the lioness makes her way to reunite with the rest of her pride on the opposite bank, never letting go of her precious cub!
Despite the fast-flowing waters of the Ntiakitiak River in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve, a young cub emerged unscathed, with only a damp coat, as its mother deftly navigated the treacherous currents. The incredible moment was captured by Greek photographer Kyriakos Kaziras during a trip in December, while staying at Kicheche Bush Camp, owned by photographer Paul Goldstein.
According to Paul, Kaziras and his guide had been observing the Enkoyanai pride early in the morning, following a period of heavy rain that had turned the typically small Ntiakitiak River into a raging torrent.
“There had been plenty of rain and the Ntiakitiak River, normally a trickle, was a swollen torrent,” Paul said.”The mother had to take the momentous decision to carry her nine-week-old cub to join them. The risks of such a journey were very real.
“I have photographed lions carrying cubs and seen them crossing rivers, but the combination is unique and has never been seen, let alone recorded,” Paul said.
(h.t: mailonline)
