These pictures follow a pride of lions on a routine hunt. The pack comes to a halt when a lioness spots an injured fox cub lying in the middle of the dirt road. The fox is in a very bad shape with an injured spine and bruised back legs!

He desperately asked the mighty lioness for help. Interestingly, the lioness maternal instincts started to work, and she decided to let go of the little fox who couldn’t protect herself. He stood next to the defenseless fox and gestured for his cub not to disturb him.

But this decision was not accepted by other proud members. Soon, a ferocious lion confronted the lioness in this unusual arrangement. He didn’t understand why she wanted to protect her easily attacked prey.

But the kind lioness stands by her promise to protect the baby fox at all costs, even if it means fighting her own family. The lion finally concedes to the lioness’ demands and leaves the fox alone.

After a while, the fox makes an effort to stand up and starts to move towards his home. He bids goodbye to his surrogate mother and disappears into the wilderness. We are totally floored by this extraordinary act of the merciful lioness!