In the vast savannas of Africa, the lion is the king of beasts. We rarely see these majestic animals in their natural habitat, let alone witness a heartwarming moment between a lion and his cub. This footage below, filmed at the Denver Zoo, shows a majestic lion crouching down to meet his cub for the first time. The lovely video melted hearts all over the Internet!
The 12lb cub was born at the zoo on July 31, and since then, the little one has only spent time with his mom. Therefore, the staff at the zoo decided it was time for the newest member to meet his family. And the moment he finally met his two-year-old dad, he won over the internet. According to the Denver Zoo’s officials, the little lion will soon be ready to make his first appearance in public.
“He’s spent the last couple months bonding with his mom, dad, and half-sister behind the scenes at Predator Ridge at Denver Zoo and will soon make his big public debut in one of the outdoor habitats,” Jake Kubié, the director of communications at Denver Zoo told Bored Panda. “He’s all the things you might expect of a lion cub: playful, curious, and energetic!”
While people in Denver are very familiar with Neliah and Tobias, the little one’s parents, he doesn’t have a name yet. So, the zoo is seeking help with the name of its fans. According to the Bored Panda, the choices are Meru, which is the name of a mountain in Tanzania, Moremi, which stands for the name of a game reserve in Botswana; and Tatu, which is the Swahili word for the number three(the cub is the lioness’ third baby). The zoo encourages everyone to vote and donate $1 for the three finalists.
It’s not often that we get to see the softer side of these majestic lion. Known for their strength and ꜰᴇʀᴏᴄɪᴛʏ, lions fiercely protect their young. In this video, we glimpse the paternal instincts that drive these animals.
The footage has captivated animal lovers worldwide, with many sharing their thoughts on social media. Some have commented on the beauty of the moment, while others have marveled at the power of nature to create such a perfect bond between father and child.
But the video also serves as a reminder of the challenges lions face in the wild. Habitat loss, ᴘᴏᴀᴄʜɪɴɢ, and other human activities have contributed to a decline in lion populations in recent years. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the African lion population has declined by approximately 43% over the past 21 years.