Once-in-a-Lifetime Sighting: A Lioness and Her Seven Adorable Cubs

Lion litters typically have two to four cubs, and up to six in some cases. However, in a once-in-a-lifetime sighting, a lioness was spotted with seven adorable cubs in South Africa. Better still, the precious moment was captured on camera. Hayley Myburgh, an experienced guide in Kruger National Park, was leading an early-morning safari that she went on as afterthought, when the family of eight made their stellar appearance.Kruger, famous for its Big Five sightings, is among Africa’s largest and most-popular game reserves. Spread over more than 19,000 square kilometres, it has many camps for people to spend the night, which Myburgh did on a whim.“It was nothing more than a nudge to stay, but it led to one of the most heartwarming sightings we’d ever had,’ the safari guide said.Having documented countless encounters before and knowing how elusive they are, Myburgh had close to no expectations. Just as dawn broke, she and her team set out to seek magic.“Not long into the drive, we spotted a lioness with seven cubs walking along the sand road,” she recalled to Latest Sightings.“The lioness and cub were making contact calls for the six cubs to follow. Within moments, the six cubs appeared, emerging from the tall grass and making their way toward the road. The cubs waddled eagerly to catch up with their mother.” shows the little lion calling out to its siblings, who had all temporarily disappeared into the grass.

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“The mommy lion was aware that her little squad was no longer right by her side, and after creating some distance, she stopped and waited for them to regroup,” Myburgh explained.That’s when the entire family was captured in one frame. After being reunited with her cubs, the lioness continued down the road until they were no longer in sight.Kruger officials estimate there are around 2,000 lions in the reserve.