This cub can’t believe its good luck when it nuzzles up to and plays with a male lion who has just taken over the pride and murdered another youngster.
The incredible moment shows the pair snuggle and play fight, which is not something that male lions typically do once they take over a pride.
Buckinghamshire photographer, Victoria Coombe, watched in amazement as the action unfolded at the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.
“This pride was fascinating to observe throughout our stay.”
“Our experts think that the two males arrived in and took over the pride, which is tragic because it’s typical for them to k.i.ll any young cubs as a result of nature.
“This will restart the oestrus cycle in the pride females, allowing the new males to mate and produce a new litter of offspring with their DNA.
“Our guides have mentioned that this is the first time they’ve seen anything like it, and because they’ve been working in the bush for years, it was a really fascinating dynamic to observe.”
