Lion Dad’s Hilarious Struggles with Cub Care
In a heartwarming yet comical turn of events at Belgium’s Pakawi Park Zoo, a male African lion named Singa found himself in the midst of an unusual parenting adventure. With five rambunctious cubs to care for while their mother, JJ, was away for medical treatment after an altercation with another lioness, Singa faced quite the parenting challenge.
While Singa’s intentions were undoubtedly good, his lack of experience in cub handling became quite evident. He attempted to pick up the cubs just as their mother would, but his efforts didn’t quite match up. Each time he approached them, the cubs vocalized their disapproval, making their discontent known. Despite their protests, Singa remained remarkably patient, even when the cubs decided to nibble on his tail.
Wildlife photographer Linda Smit, who captured these adorable yet amusing moments, shed light on the backstory. JJ had sustained severe injuries during a confrontation with another lioness, necessitating her separation from the cubs for several weeks to facilitate her recovery. During this time, Singa valiantly stepped into the role of primary caregiver.