The Photos Tell the Story

Last month, photographer Jean-Francois Lagrot was visiting the Masai Mara Game Reserve in Kenya.  He took the following series of photos; they show a mother lion's indecision when her cub falls over the edge of a ravine and cannot climb back up the steep face.  Other lions from the pride join the mother, but seem to regard the cub's plight as something they cannot help with.  The mother finally goes down the ravine wall, circles underneath the cub, then grabs him by the scruff, and has to climb back up the wall herself.  The last shot is of mother and cub, well away from the ravine's edge.

Mom! I've fallen, and I can't get up!

Yep, he's stuck down there, fer sure.

Just a minute longer, son.  I'm coming.

Hope we can make it back up to the top...

Momma's pride and joy is safe.

I honestly have no idea whether the cub is a male or female - but it seems like it's always the boys of the species who get into trouble in some shape, factor or form...