Wildlife Rescue

John

This dramatic rescue, captured by wildlife photographer Jean-François Lagrot, took place in Masai Mara game reserve in Kenya. Despite their protected status in the park, day-to-day life for lions is not without its dangers … as this cub learned the hard way.

A friend sent me an email which included most of the photos shown here, as well as commentary on what was happening in them. Information junkie that I am, I decided to try find the story’s origin and some information about the photographer. I found the story on several news sites and numerous blogs, but had trouble tracking down the photographer until I realised that most of the websites (and some of the watermarked photos) had his name wrong.

The story seems to have first come to light on September 26 2011, although one article said it took place in August. The spot where the cub fell is variously described as a cliff, a ravine, and a river gully, and some writers waxed lyrical in their telling of the story. The photos are displayed here in the order used by Zambezi Safaris Blog (where the writer took a more circumspect approach).

The Photos

All photos copyright © Jean-François Lagrot / SAX ROHMER LTD

Mother deliberates from the top of the river bank whilst the cub calls for help and hangs on tight
Mother deliberates from the top of the river bank whilst the cub calls for help and hangs on tight
Things are looking dicey as the mother tries to get down to the stricken cub
Things are looking dicey as the mother tries to get down to the stricken cub
She retreats temporarily while the cub hangs on in quiet desperation
She retreats temporarily while the cub hangs on in quiet desperation
Aunts and an uncle look on as the mother prepares for another attempt
Aunts and an uncle look on as the mother prepares for another attempt
The lioness is nearly there but the cub's seriously rattled now
The lioness is nearly there but the cub's seriously rattled now
The cub loses his grip, but mum lunges and snatches him by the scruff of his neck!
The cub loses his grip, but mum lunges and
snatches him by the scruff of his neck!
With the cub safe she beats a powerful and hasty retreat up to safety
With the cub safe she beats a powerful and hasty retreat up to safety
Now, if she could speak what would this lioness be saying?
Now, if she could speak what would this lioness be saying?

The Photographer

Jean-François and Isabelle Lagrot are veterinary surgeons, conservationists and photographers with a passion for rare and endangered species. They have travelled the world in search of these, and have published a number of books documenting their work.

References

Zambezi Safaris Blog
Lioness saves cub from cliff fall
Cliffhanger!
Nouvelles aventures sauvages by Isabelle and Jean-François Lagrot

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