Lioness carries a nine-week-old cub through a swift-moving river without danger

In Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve, a courageous lioness bravely carried her nine-week-old pup over a swiftly moving river. The lioness is shown in the photographs taken by Greek photographer Kyriakos Kaziras clutching her little cub’s neck with her jaws as they both navigate the turbulent seas.

The mother lioness carefully negotiates the makeshift stepping stones to keep her cub safe and secure. The lioness risked her life by crossing the typically trickling Ntiakitiak River in a swollen flood to rejoin the rest of the pride on the river’s east bank.

The lioness’ choice to carry her youngster over the river was necessary, according to Paul Goldstein, the proprietor of Kicheche Bush Camp, where Mr. Kaziras was stationed, because the cub was already one month older than the customary carrying age. Observing a mother lioness crossing a river while toting her pup is unusual and unheard of.

Despite the risks, mother and cub successfully crossed the river, with the cub only getting away with a wet coat. Mr. Kaziras’ photographs portray a breathtaking scene that exemplifies the lioness’ bravery and parental instinct.