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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Open wide: A lioness goes to take a bit out of a toddler visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado but luckily the pair are separated by thick glass


For a moment this hungry lioness must have thought she had found her dinner.

But luckily for the oblivious one-year-old, a thick sheet of glass separated him from the jaws of the ferocious cat.

The toddler, known only as Trent, had been visiting the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado with family earlier this year.


Happy: The toddler, known only as Trent, smiles as claps excitedly as he watches the lioness


He playfully sits on the ground outside the lion enclosure and claps his hands as the powerful beast paces the ground eager to reach the youngster.

Trent then begins to touch the six-inches thick bullet-proof glass and for a moment the pair appear to have struck up a bond.

The lioness appears to be fascinated with the toddler and tenderly strokes her paw against the glass in front of the child.

But seconds later in an incredible show of her natural killer instinct the lioness rears up onto her hind legs and swipes with her sharp claws.


I want to play! The toddler touches the glass, eager to join in, but the powerful cat seems more interested in what her next meal will be


She then opens her jaws to expose razor-sharp teeth and appears to try to bite off the toddler's head.

But with no chance of reaching her prey, Trent carry on regardless. He merely claps his hands and continues to laugh at the hungry cat.

The clip has become an internet sensation on YouTube with tens of thousands of users posting messages.

One wrote: 'The funny thing is, our baby actually cried all the way to the car after leaving the lion cage.'


Safe: The toddler moved away from the glass but the beast followed, trying desperately to reach him. The clip has become an online hit


Another added: 'This shows the immense power of these incredible animals.'
But others suggested that the lioness was merely trying to be playful with the toddler.

One wrote: 'That cat is not trying to eat the baby, her body language is completely non-aggressive.

'If anything she just wants to steal the child so she can raise him and train him to make his thumbs work for the pride.'


Lioness tries to eat baby at the zoo.



source: dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter


Back off: The lioness gets her punch in first when the lion moved in on the cub


Most mothers have to step in when things get a bit too competitive and boisterous between father and sons, but it seems that it's not exclusive to humans.

A lioness has been caught on camera taking a swipe at the father of their cub after a stand off between the pair.

The father hit a raw nerve when he growled fiercely at the two-month-old, causing the lioness to strike a warning blow across his face.

The cub had been sunbathing on the bed of a dried up marsh in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, when he was disturbed by his father.

Ouch: The lion recoils as it is made painfully aware to him just how far the lioness will go to protect her cub


Like Simba practising his roar in the film The Lion King, the cub snarls at his father but was shown who was boss with an even louder reply.

The mother, who had two cubs nearby, padded over to ensure things weren't getting out of hand and struck the lion across the face.

The event was caught on camera by photographer Elliott Neep who said: 'It was like he was telling him "Don't snarl at me", the mum came over and said "keep it calm" but then slapped the dad with her claws out, leaving a scratch.

'He retaliated and slapped back but kept his claws in. It was extremely brave of her to stand up to him. At just a couple of months old, the cub still needs the protection of its mother.

'If she had not been there the dad would have probably whacked the cub so hard it would have knocked him over.'

The 36-year-old, from Wantage, Oxfordshire, added: 'I have been photographing lions for many years but this was the biggest I have ever seen.

'Lions normally weigh up 450lbs and I would say this one was at least that - possibly around 500lbs.

'He didn't appear to have any battle marks, which is unusual for a pride male. I imagine he is so big nobody else dares fight him.

'However, I don't think the cub was in any real danger because it was his cub.
'The situation ended peacefully with all the family members making up and returning to their sunbathing.'

Squaring up: The lion went over to his cub while it was sunbathing on a dried-up marsh

All made up: After the lioness had the last word, all was calm again with the family


source:dailymail

Lion named Carbora cuddles with a lioness in their enclosure at the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg March 4, 2011.



Lion named Carbora (L) and his partners enjoy the sun in their enclosure at the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg March 4, 2011.




Lion named Carbora cuddles with a lioness in their enclosure at the Hagenbeck Zoo in Hamburg March 4, 2011.


source: Daylife
photo: Reuters

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Yes dear: The male lion cowers as the lioness lets him know exactly how she feels about his playfighting at the National Zoo in Washington DC


He's supposed to be the king of the jungle, but these pictures clearly show who's in charge.

The male lion cowers his head as he is given an earful by a lioness after a playfight went too far.

The father had pinned his daughter Lusaka to the ground in mock anger after the playful cub had repeatedly nipped his tail.


Courting controversy: The playful cub grabs hold of her dad's tail as he pretends not to notice


But the pair's fun came to a dramatic halt after the mother arrived and bared her teeth in fury at the male.

The remarkable images were recorded by amateur photographer Jennifer Lockridge, who took them at the National Zoo in Washington DC.

Luke, the male lion, had been pretending not to notice his offspring's attentions, before joining in a playfight.

Ms Lockridge, 42, said the spotted the drama during a visit to the zoo last month.
She said: 'I thoroughly enjoyed watching this interaction and Luke has just recently been allowed to interact with his cubs. The zoo has a lion pride consisting of seven cubs from two mothers and Luke is the father of all the cubs.


Cat and mouse: The male has a look that would stop a wildebeest at 50 metres as the female cub makes good her escape


Daddy's girl: The cub rolls playfully over on to her back as the male catches up to her


'The particular cub, Lusaka, is particularly feisty and is always one of the last ones to go inside when called. Lusaka is definitely a "daddy's girl" and seems to be the most enamoured with her father.'

She said the way five-month-old Lusaka and her father played together reminded her of human parents and their children.

'As the cubs have gotten braver, they approach Luke easily wanting to engage him in play.

'I don't believe he realised she was biting his tail and he didn't seem to be very upset. Lusaka has a habit of biting the tails of her siblings as well as the adults.'



Catfight: Lusaka, a five-month-old cub, is devoted to her father, who has just been allowed near his seven children in the zoo


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Mucky pup: One of the free lionesses poses on a mound after rolling around in the mud


These three lionesses got themselves in a mess after becoming stuck in the mud.
The trio got caught up in the muck at a partially dried up water hole after chasing their prey there.

But the three took it all in their stride and didn't even bother to move to harder ground before tucking in to their treat.

After satisfying their appetites the group emerged, their golden coats matted in a thick coat of mud.

The extraordinary sight was snapped by photographer Andy Biggs while on a photographic safari in the Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa.

The 41-year-old, from Houston, Texas, has been leading safaris for eight years but admitted he'd never seen anything like it.


Golden brown: After scoffing her prey one of the mucky lionesses trots up to higher ground to relax


Down and dirty: The three lionesses eat their catch in the mud


'We were on an afternoon game drive, and decided to stop by a water hole that is more commonly used by the resident elephant, rhino and giraffe population,' he said.
'We were surprised to find a group of three lions.

'They had trapped their kill in a muddy, dried up water hole, and began eating it right in front of us.

'One of them sat upright on a high perch, and I had never seen such a muddy lion before, or much less any predator with that much mud on it.'

He added: 'I enjoy witnessing and photographing unique moments in nature - this was one of the most unique shots I have ever taken.'

source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Watch out: The lioness waits patiently as the young wildebeest struggles through the mud


A series of amazing pictures shows how a young wildebeest overcomes the odds to successfully beat off a hungry lioness before submitting to the king of the jungle.

The migration of wildebeest through swirling Kenyan rivers always loses many victims to drowning, but this fawn manages to battle its way across and haul itself through the mud towards safety.


Face off: The wildebeest startles the lioness with an aggressive head-butt


Unfortunately, the youngster's brave bid for survival has attracted the attention of the lioness who waits patiently on the riverbank for the exhausted fawn to emerge.

But even though the poor wildebeest is on its last legs, he somehow manages to fend off his aggressor with a series of head butts that startle the attacker into retreat.
But his success is short lived. A huge male lion at least five times the

wildebeest's weight has been waiting in the wings and decides to show the shame-faced female how it should be done... with the inevitable outcome.


Backward step: The lioness has second thoughts as the wildebeest prepares to attack again


End game: Despite the wildebeest's brave efforts, he is no match for the lion



All over: The king of the jungle sinks his teeth into his prey


source: dailymail

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

The extraordinary encounter took place in Botswana and was captured on camera by a touring cardiologist


Three lionesses pounced on a crocodile in an extraordinary scene after the reptile tried to attack one of the pride's cubs.

The protective females instinctively leapt into action to fend off the aggressive predator.

With organised precision, the lionesses surrounded the croc and launched a ferocious volley of blows.


A lioness stared down the crocodile after it tried to snap at a cub


The lionesses circled around the crocodile


During the encounter the crocodile managed to bite one of the big cats but was soon killed by the pride.

The rare scenes were captured by Tony Goldman while on a safari trip to the Duba Plains, in Botswana, with his son.

Tony, 58, a cardiologist, said: 'The lionesses had just killed a buffalo and suddenly a crocodile ventured about 100 yards out of the water towards them to snack on the meat.

'One of the smaller cubs was in the path of the crocodile and it started to advance towards the cub in a menacing fashion before trying to attack it.


One lioness let out a roar inches from the croc's face


'This resulted in an eruption from the three nearby lionesses who went for the croc in an organised fashion.

'I expected the croc to back off but it didn't and there was a tremendous fight with the croc biting one of the lionesses.

'There was a commotion and dust flying everywhere before the lionesses finally overpowered the invader.


Three lionesses then pounced on the aggressive beast


'The whole thing lasted about 15 minutes and was only witnessed by my son, our driver and myself.

'We were really lucky because the driver had driven like a maniac to get there in time after we heard about the buffalo kill.' Father of two,Tony, from Benoni, near Johannesburg, South Africa, added: 'On my subsequent safaris I've mentioned this experience to rangers with more than 20 years in the bush and no one has ever seen lions take down a crocodile.

'It is most certainly a very rare wildlife occurrence that we were lucky enough to see and photograph.'


The crocodile reared in pain as the lioness struck a blow

source: dailymail

Mother's love: This one-day-old cub looks very uncomfortable as the lioness carries it to safety in Okavago, Botswana, after a buffalo attack


This is the tender moment a protective lioness gently picks up her three newborn cubs in her mouth and carries them to safety after a buffalo attack.

The watchful lioness carefully nestled each one-day-old cub between her jaws and padded to a nearby bush for safety in Okavago, Botswana.

The incredible scene was captured minutes after a herd of buffalo tried to drive the lioness and her babies from their den.


Watchful: The lioness remains alert as she transfers her three cubs to the safety of a thick bush


But the protective mother refused to give an inch, dutifully standing by her young and managing to scare off the herd of ten African buffalos.

Shortly after the buffalo left, the lioness decided to move her children to a nearby shelter.

The cubs were so young they had not yet opened their eyes or learnt to walk and the mother was forced to carry them in her jaws.

Photographer Ole Jorgen Liodden, a father-of-five, captured the images as he sat hidden in a nearby bush for more than three hours.


Brave: The female stood her ground after ten male buffalo attempted to force her out of the bush


On guard: The cubs had not yet opened their eyes and were unable to walk so had to be carried to safety


The 37-year-old said: 'I was amazed by the scenes and the two guides I was with said they had never seen anything like it before.

'I had been photographing a massive herd of buffalo, about 100 strong, and saw a lioness sneak behind them before hiding under a small, dense bush.

'Suddenly, ten of the big male buffalo tried to force her out of the bush, they started to break some of the branches and it was clear she was scared.

'They were being really aggressive but she started to roar to keep them away and eventually they started to move off.

'The lioness started to lick her cubs and then she went out alone to seek a safe place for her young.'


Safe: The female drops one of her cubs next to its sibling in the shade of a bush



Caring: After delivering them safely to their new home, the mother then cleans her cubs

The lioness found a safer spot 100 metres away and came back to pick each of the three cubs one-by-one.

Mr Liodden added: 'I'm glad it was a happy ending and just feel privileged to have caught the moments on camera.'


source: dailymail

Indian lioness Joy plays with two of her four lion cubs during their official presentation on September 15, 2010 at the Zurich's zoo. The cubs were born on July 14, 2010.




Indian lion Jasradj relaxes in his enclosure on September 15, 2010 at the Zurich zoo.



Jasradj, an Indian lion relaxes with his head resting on a large rock in his enclosure on September 15, 2010 at the Zurich zoo.


source: Daylife
photo: Gettyimages