Lioness Finds Baby Deer and Does Something Surprising with It

Published on December 22, 2022
Caring for her young and hunting are the primary responsibilities of a lioness in the pride. One one particular occasion, a photographer saw a lioness approach a young calf, which is how most photographers come across various species that create ties with each other.

However, the photographer caught many bizarre moments on tape while the lioness was hunting. She came across a young deer. Everyone knows that lions can hunt deer if they are in the wrong place at the wrong time. Therefore, you may be wondering if the photographer filmed the entire thing. This lioness had something else in mind!

Perfect Victim

If you believe that a lioness and baby deer are a hazardous combination, you are correct. They are powerful predators and prey on deer calves, killing them in seconds. However, what happens when these two animals touch each other might surprise you!

Perfect Victim

Perfect Victim

Don’t Tamper with It

Why are lionesses better hunters than males? It’s a mystery, but they are 30 percent faster than the males. Their small stature still ensures that they’re formidable predators. The lioness in this story was unsure of what to do when she came across a deer in the forest.

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Don't Tamper With It

Don’t Tamper With It

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Something Unusual

Overall, the lioness stayed away from the baby, carrying on with her hunt. A strange meeting ensued, and the baby deer wondered if the lion’s good nature might last for the long term. Why did the lioness take the calf along with it?

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Something Unusual

Something Unusual

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The Right Moment Perhaps

This lioness might have had experience with cubs in the past, kicking in her maternal instincts. The baby was surely happy because other predators couldn’t take advantage of it. Remember, the photographer is witnessing this happen in real-time and is speechless!

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The Right Moment Perhaps

The Right Moment Perhaps

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Preparing for the Snack

Lionesses have cared for various pups in the past. They’re responsible for the leopard cubs and some puppies at animal shelters. Do you think it was taking care of this deer or preparing for its snack?!

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Preparing For The Snack

Preparing For The Snack

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Protection or a Meal to Go

When the lioness treated the baby deer as her own, it showed affection and tenderness. Who knows what happened to the calf’s mother. However, it wasn’t a cruel joke; the baby deer wasn’t supposed to be dinner for the clan.

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Protection Or A Meal To Go

Protection Or A Meal To Go

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Cleaning It Up

The lioness starts grooming the deer when she sees it, and the baby doesn’t seem to mind. It looks as though he’s having fun after his traumatic situation. Why did the lioness clean up the baby deer?

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Cleaning It Up

Cleaning It Up

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Finishing Up

Overall, the baby deer appears to fall asleep while its new “mom” is cleaning her. The young deer was probably exhausted and ready for a little break. However, the lioness then opens her jaws wide, making the photographer say, “Wow!”

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Finishing Up

Finishing Up

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Fangs Come Out

As the lioness’ teeth come out, the baby deer gets upset. Who wants to get bitten by the lioness, even if she seems to be kind and loving? Did the young deer decide to leave its new mother after only knowing her for a short period?

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Fangs Come Out

Fangs Come Out

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It’s Wide Open

Experts examined the deer and realized that it was only a few days old. Its poor mom was probably killed by another predator while out foraging for food. Luckily, the lioness appeared to help the baby calf, who started bleating loudly.

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It's Wide Open

It’s Wide Open

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The Change

The lioness chooses to open her mouth wider to help. It almost looked like she was about to eat the poor baby. Was the young deer’s time on earth about to end for good?!

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The Change

The Change

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A Scream

This deer lets out a scream when the fangs go into its body. Why did the lioness change her mind? Was the deer that tantalizing? Overall, the lioness wasn’t likely to eat the deer, but it was scared and unsure of what was happening.

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A Scream

A Scream

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Taking a Walk

The lioness wasn’t thinking about food right now. She only picked up the deer as she might pick up a pup, but it was unsuccessful. It seems like she planned to take the deer with her, which is a crazy turn of events!

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Taking A Walk

Taking A Walk

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Walking Around

This poor baby tries to wriggle out of the lion’s mouth as she walks across the plains. However, he can’t break free because she’s got him in a neck lock. Since you don’t have another option, it’s best to go along for the adventure, even if you’re scared!

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Walking Around

Walking Around

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The Unpleasant Journey

It appears that this isn’t likely to be a comfortable trip for the deer. Is it in trouble and hurt, or is the lioness being gentle with it? Overall, the lioness carries on like nothing is odd or strange about her behavior.

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The Unpleasant Journey

The Unpleasant Journey

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Can’t Get Away

The lioness ignores the infant deer’s cries, continuing her trek. He has no escape reflex, but he does worry that something’s not right in this situation. What’s the mama up to? She can’t be playing a mean game with the baby by bringing it to the pack to eat later?!

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Can't Get Away

Can’t Get Away

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Taking a Break

Finally, the lioness changes her pace quickly and unexpectedly, dropping the baby deer and staring at it. As the photographer looks, the deer is terrified to move but isn’t bleating anymore. What happened next was a shocker!

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Taking A Break

Taking A Break

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The Deer Fled

The baby deer decided to run for it but hadn’t learned to walk. Was he trying to stop himself from being eaten or foraging for food on his own? Either way, he feared that danger was around the corner for him if he stayed with the lioness.

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The Deer Fled

The Deer Fled

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Nowhere to Go

With her tongue out, the lioness appears delighted by the deer’s attempt to flee. She just picks him back up and puts him in her mouth again. Then, the photographer saw that she was back on the journey. Hopefully, there’s no disappointing finish to their story.

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Nowhere To Go

Nowhere To Go

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They Continue Walking

This lioness is content with the deer in her mouth right now. Maybe she’s wondering what to feed it or thinks it could still be a nice little snack. The two already shared a nice moment that strengthened the bond, so she’s probably not eating this little guy.

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They Continue Walking

They Continue Walking

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Another Attempt to Flee

The deer finally gets out of the jaws of the lioness and tries to escape to freedom. He doesn’t seem to realize that he isn’t a match for her predatory instinct. However, you can’t blame him. Still, she picks him in her mouth in a few seconds.

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Another Attempt To Flee

Another Attempt To Flee

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The True Reason

Uncertain of its fate, the deer calls out in fear. This lioness appears to be playing a game. Is she trying to protect him or preparing for the kill? The photographer hopes it’s the first thought and not the latter.

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The True Reason

The True Reason

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The Baby Deer’s Fate

No one knows what might happen to the baby. As the lioness walks away with the infant in its mouth, the photographer wonders if she’s moving him to safety or to the pack. If you want a happy ending, check out this mama lion taking care of a deer!

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The Baby Deer's Fate

The Baby Deer’s Fate

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The Small Antelope

When this mama lion first saw the antelope, she was bewildered. Gordon Donovan, a New York photojournalist, saw the entire event. He said it was breathtaking and wanted to kill them all when he saw the trapped springbok.

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The Small Antelope

The Small Antelope

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Taking Care of Its Baby

After the lioness got the newborn, she assumed control and protected it from others who might like to nibble it. Why was this lioness saving the young deer, though?

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Taking Care Of Its Baby

Taking Care Of Its Baby

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A Mother’s Loss

After another pack invaded the territory, she lost her cubs to the male from the rival pride. That caused her immense depression, and she cried over the loss. She took in the young calf to replace what she’d lost.

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A Mother's Loss

A Mother’s Loss

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Not Expected

You probably thought the lioness wanted to eat the tiny antelope, and even the photographer had to prepare himself for the awful moment. However, it never came, and the lioness started cleaning the baby!

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Not Expected

Not Expected

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Rare Occasions

The wildlife photographer said that she took care of the adopted baby and kept him safe from the others in the pride. He was excited to capture such a special moment when he was on assignment in Africa. Overall, that’s why he goes!

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Rare Occasions

Rare Occasions

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A Mother’s Love Is Forever

This photographer was treated to an amazing encounter that he’s sure to remember forever. One lioness didn’t have as much luck because she was a display animal. When her mental and physical health deteriorated, animal rights advocates had to step in and help.

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A Mother's Love Is Forever

A Mother’s Love Is Forever

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Saving Sheila

Sheila was rescued in 2008 by the US Department of Agriculture. Because she was so underweight, the rescuers wondered if she could survive. They had to wait to see if her health improved, and everyone rooted for her.

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Saving Sheila

Saving Sheila

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Her Story

This lioness had been an attraction at a Texas amusement park. She had to appear at high-profile gatherings and events. While she wasn’t the most prominent, she had lived there a long time and was treated better than the others.

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Her Story

Her Story

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She’s a Prisoner

Sheila had spent her life as a prisoner at the amusement park. She was often in the media as a cub for picture sessions. Though she was actually born in the wild, she had to work hard, which was bad for her health.

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She's A Prisoner

She’s A Prisoner

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Trying to Avoid Harm

Since Sheila had issues with coordination, she knew she was at risk for being hurt or killed. At one point, she couldn’t raise up her head to eat or drink and didn’t even want to live anymore.

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Trying To Avoid Harm

Trying To Avoid Harm

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Where to Take Her

The US Department of Agriculture found her and sent her to the In-Sync Wildlife Rescue Center, a government-sponsored education and animal rescue organization. They worried that it was too late and wondered if euthanizing her was the best course.

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Where To Take Her

Where To Take Her

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No Appetite

In-Sync took care of her, even though she didn’t respond to medication. The handlers took time to feed her, and an actress even went to visit with her to help her. Everyone wanted the best for this poor lioness!

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No Appetite

No Appetite

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No New Developments

While the In-Sync team made efforts to help, it didn’t appear to them that she had made progress. Her health was the same now as it had been upon arrival. She didn’t have much muscle power and couldn’t walk well. Overall, it was a physically demanding journey for everyone.

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No New Developments

No New Developments

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Her Lethal Illness

Sheila ended up being diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, which is a disease caused by not having enough vitamin A. In a sense, her blood was full of parasites, and this disease is lethal for the feline family. Now they knew what happened, and she had to take her medication to get better!

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Her Lethal Illness

Her Lethal Illness

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The Awful Disease

Cats and people are susceptible to this disease, and it can spread through the body to the brain, eyes and lungs. It’s often mild for people but does bad things for felines who contract it.

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The Awful Disease

The Awful Disease

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The Stubborn Lioness

Sheila’s caretakers knew what to do and gave her the anti-toxin treatment. It took money and time to get it, and she was late to start the regimen. Plus, she didn’t know it was medicine, so it took about an hour to give it to her sometimes.

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The Stubborn Lioness

The Stubborn Lioness

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Feeling Better

The lioness’s health started improving after the treatment. She was finally able to walk and could eat on her own. Finally, she could live without pain and suffering, and she had the In-Sync team to thank for all that.

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Feeling Better

Feeling Better

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