For young lion cubs, crossing a river is a daunting first challenge. Still unsteady on their feet, they hesitate at the water’s edge before following their mother, relying entirely on her guidance as they navigate the unfamiliar current for the very first time.
Lionesses move their cubs frequently to keep them safe from constant threats such as hyenas, snakes, large birds, and rival male lions. Each relocation is a calculated decision, and moments like this river crossing highlight both the vulnerability of the cubs and the fierce determination of a mother protecting her young at all costs.
