"Don't Worry, Deer..." Lioness Losing Her Cubs Cares For Baby Antelope As Her Own Child

This might be an extraordinary sight to watch as it seems unlikely to happen. A lioness losing her children from rivals is caught on camera caring for a young, weak springbok. The touching moment, as you may expect, brings the photographer a rollercoaster of feelings.

Image source: Caters News Agency

Photographer Gordon Donovan was out on a trip in Namibia’s Etosha National Park when he captured the stunning photos of the powerful beast adopting the poor calf.
At first, he thought the lioness would come and kill the baby like how nature ruled species and their prey. What happened next, however, proved that he was wrong. The grieving lioness tenderly cradled the antelope, grooming it and hugging it in her safe arms. With the heart of a mom who had lost her own cubs, she even protected the springbok from other lions coming to harm the baby.

Image source: Caters News Agency

Image source: Caters News Agency

Image source: Caters News Agency

The way she looked at the adopted calf seemed to tell him: "Don't worry deer... I won't bite... You're safe now!"
Amazed by the scene, Mr. Donovan said: "It was a bizarre yet stunning sight to behold. I was excited about the lions, and when she captured the springbok I was waiting for the kill."
"But it never came and started cleaning the calf. That’s the mysterious way of nature, never knowing what will happen next," he added.

Image source: Caters News Agency

Nature is often known for its majesty and harshness, but it is a place for love as well. The moment when this lioness caring her baby deer is absolutely an example of 'great motherhood', and it will melt the hearts of thousands.
H/T: dailymail.co.uk