Lioness dangles nine-week-old cub in her claws and she crosses river
- Makes her way across Ntiakitiak River in Kenya to join rest of her pride
- Stunning images captured by Greek photographer Kyriakos Kaziras
Her jaws clamped firmly around the scruff of her tiny cub’s neck, this plucky lioness is taking no chances as she tackles a risky river crossing.

As her nine-week-old youngster dangles beneath her, the mother skips gingerly between impromptu stepping stones.
These stunning images capture the heart-stopping moment the lioness braved choppy waters, clasping her little one’s nape, as she made her way to join the rest of the pride on the other side of the river.

Amazingly, the cub escaped with only a sodden coat as its mother safely negotiated the fast-flowing waters of the Ntiakitiak River in Kenya’s Masai Mara game reserve.
Greek photographer Kyriakos Kaziras managed to capture the moment during a trip in December.