While out driving one rainy afternoon near Satara in the Kruger National Park, we came upon a lonely and obviously terrified lion cub, running in the road and trying to hide in roadside bushes, all the while calling for his pride. We were still feeling sorry for the little one when suddenly his demeanor changed totally – he picked himself up and confidently started running past our car. It is then that we noticed his mother standing, and looking quite intimidating, behind the assembled vehicles, ready to attack anyone or anything that threatens her little one. When he reached her they both gave the human spectators a parting glance, joined the rest of the pride and confidently walked off into the bush. The encounter made a wonderful impression on all of us.
DeWetsWild 
Awesome captures!
Cute but I don’t want to put that to the test!
Here discretion is most certainly the better part of valour!
How wonderful that you were able to witness the reunion. I should think that you were almost as relieved as the little cub was.
At least one of us were tearing up at the sight 😉
So pragtig!!!
Ons stem heelhartig saam, Aletta!
😊
Dis vir my altyd so mooi om te sien hoe leeus in dieselfde trop mekaar groet, as hulle iewers uitmekaar gespat het en weer by mekaar uitkom. Dis die mooiste ou leeutjie. Pragtige foto’s, Dries.
Baie dankie, Dina. Die familiebande loop beslis sterk in hierdie spesifieke trop.
Moms are the best! Great series of storytelling images.
Agreed wholeheartedly about the Moms, P J B!
That is such a lovely story, so glad it had a happy ending. I think any child in trouble brings out the lioness in a mother.
That’s so true, Val – the mothering instinct is certainly not to be underestimated!
How privileged you are to have witnessed such an intimate moment in nature.
It’s one of those encounters that we’ll vividly remember everytime we pass that spot in future.
It must be hard work keeping track of all those youngsters.
This scenario was proof that they do sometimes drop the ball!
What an incredible opportunity! This is a beautiful scenario described wonderfully in words and in photos!
Thank you very much, Carol – I am glad to know we could convey a little of this amazing experience to all our friends here.
These big cats are so beautiful and very powerful! 🙂
Absolutely, H.J. Not to be messed with at all!
That photo of the two of them is priceless. 🙂 Adorable and impressive.
janet
It was such a touching reunion. Thank you, Janet!
How precious is that! And what a cute face on this ‘little’ guy. I will tell you when I saw this post title, I just knew Marilize was taking on some wild animal and single-handedly gave over this little cub to his mama. That’s really what happened, right? 🙂
If Joubert was in this predicament we would have seen the lioness come out in Marilize, that’s for sure!