Watching a wild lion in action can be impressive and make anyone’s skin crawl…
It is normal that the cubs of any species are full of life, and soon bring out their inexhaustible energy, and eternal desire to play and interact with the rest of their litter, as well as with their parents.
This is undoubtedly a fundamental part of their growth and correct development of their natural instinct.
It is touching to see how between siblings they cannot avoid jumping on each other, biting each other’s necks or ears. And in wild specimens, we could be frightened if this interaction ends in some unfortunate accident…
As is the case with lions
Adult male lions tend to be very competitive and territorial, to the point that they might see their cubs as a threat, even attacking them.
That is why the keepers of the Denver Zoo, in Colorado (United States), were perplexed by what happened between a father lion and his newborn.
He looked like a fearsome lion but was an excited dad ready to play with his son.lion
What everyone witnessed there showed them that even the most majestic and menacing lion can be very loving and tender in the face of a newborn’s vulnerability.
It all started when little Tatu came into the world last summer.
The caretakers were watching to see how his father, the roaring Tobias, would react when he saw his son for the first time.
They had witnessed how other lions killed their cubs in their quest to maintain the dynasty.
But Tobias had shown them that he was a special lion, and although they trusted him, they were a little nervous….
However, as soon as the father began to sniff him, he seemed to understand that Tatu was not only a helpless little guy, but that he belonged to him, that he carried his blood and could not be prouder of his little one.
At one point, he even seems to kneel down as if he worships this little being, who tomorrow will be as strong and majestic as daddy.
The networks were quick to react, with emotional comments:
“It’s so precious, I love the interaction of the dad with his puppy. It seems incredible so much tenderness from such a powerful and majestic creature.”
“He is nothing but a tender “cat” touched by his child”, “The biggest and scariest males in the world can become children when their babies are in front of them”, said other users.
Certainly, Tatu had spent most of his time with his mother Neliah. And the caregivers wanted to test Tobias’ big heart. Luckily, they weren’t wrong.
Since his first encounter with daddy, the puppy has spent a lot of time with him, his mom and his half-sister. Today, he spends away from public view because he is still very small and needs time to grow up and become stronger.
The zoo authorities took advantage of the virality of this story to announce that Tatu’s species has become seriously endangered.
That is why his birth is a great symbol of hope, and they consider that under the strict care of love and protection that they take in the zoo to their animals, they are safer than in their habitat, because of the danger of hunters.
This is the touching encounter between daddy lion and his baby that makes so many fall in love.
This week's #cubdate comes with some exciting news: the 🦁 has met his dad, Tobias, & big sister Kamara! Already 12 lbs, this little lion is climbing up the ranks in the world – as in he literally loves climbing everything! Click here to help us name him: https://t.co/b5MM6RVje2 pic.twitter.com/q53NScP5Zv
— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo) September 6, 2019
“We hope that by seeing our little lion cub, people will be inspired and take action to help protect their wild counterparts and other wild animals around the world,” concluded zoo officials.
These scenes warm our souls. What better example than this male, who does not hesitate to melt in front of his son, against his apparent rudeness.
