#butitfeelslikeit

[tdowning79]

Only like 100 more to go! #notreally #butitfeelslikeit https://www.instagram.com/p/Brt1_j0ATJ8YLSLY6cWFlAJrsDDJGfD2VZoKjM0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fi2viozgp3sw

[jillhoven]

(Finally getting back to playing with photos; a few more to share from our trip to South Africa!) After seeing the mama leopard and her cub, we were pretty sure that'd be the highlight of the #safari drive. But then we can across this mama #lion and her four-month old cubs!! Ack! Cuteness overload!! Turns out, this #mama is my HERO. She does not have a pride, and she is raising these cubs (almost) on her own; in addition, this is the second time that she's raised a set of male cubs... ON HER OWN. (!!) The first time, her two sisters were killed by other female lions in the pride (female lions can be just as territorial as males), and she managed to escape with her two male cubs, only a few months old at the time. Now, about five years later, those two cubs are some of the dominant lions in the area (she won't join their pride, because the only females in a pride are to be mated with, and she's the mother), and the lion she did mate with this time can't compete with the two male lions - they chased him away, but she's not interested in following. (I know! It's like a soap opera!) Luckily, both of her older "cubs" clearly know they owe her their lives, and regularly check on her, as does the father of the new cubs (he just can't stay around). She's strong, so hopefully she and the cubs will be okay. Also, the Cubs were playing with s stick and it was ADORABLE. 💗 #QueenOfTheBush #CuzItsNotAJungleHere! #ButItFeelsLikeIt #SingleMom #Respect #SafariDrive16 #LionSands #KrugerNationalPark (at Lion Sands Game Reserve)