We’ve all seen Disney’s the Lion King and tried not to weep when King Mufasa explained the “circle of life” to a young Simba. While we all could remind ourselves that we were watching an animated film, the heart of Mufasa’s speech was still relative. Even the biggest animal lover has to understand the natural process of predators and prey. Every animal has to eat, and unfortunately, that often means that an adorable zebra or similar species will fall victim to a lion’s lunch at some point.
For those who simply can’t stand the heartache when it comes to watching predators finally catch their prey, programs like “National Geographic” and “Planet Earth” are just too tough to bear. Not to worry, viewers, because this video is exactly what your heart needs on a Monday.
The video opens with a herd of wildebeests feeding in the grass. Soon, you can see a sneaky lioness checking out it’s next meal from above the blades. A few stunning zebra trot by as well, and the dramatic background music makes you think that a kill is coming soon. According the video, there are “thousands” of newborn wildebeest calves in the area, making it an easy day for the hungry lioness.
Things get even more heart pounding when a mother is forced to run away from her “minutes-old” offspring as the lioness approaches. The mother wildebeest makes one last attempt to scare off the lioness, but she’s just inches away from snatching the brand new baby.
All hope seems lost for the baby wildebeest, but suddenly, the lioness stops herself. She gently paws at the newborn’s back and stays close by, but she doesn’t make the kill. Then, the mother lion rolls onto her back in a playful matter and cuddles up to the baby, which moment ago, was meant to be her prey.
The reason behind the lioness’ actions is completely unknown, and a very rare sight out in the wild.
The calf then “imprints” upon the lioness, which is when an animal takes on the care and comfort of another “warm body” as its “caretaker” and “provider”.
The narrator of the video calls the calf’s decision to imprint a “fatal mistake”, but the lioness still does not attack.
Eventually, the lioness’ attention is captured by the grazing wildebeest herd, and she decides to leave the calf on its own. Free from the lioness’ frightening gaze, the mother wildebeest is safe to return to her baby.
This rare reunion proves that Disney-esque happy endings really can be found, even in the harsh reality of wildlife.
You can watch the entire scene and the heartwarming surprise for yourself in Wild Heart Wildlife Foundation’s video below.
