Image: Jan Pelcman
These photos illustrate the close bonds between some animal parents and their offspring. For example, polar bears stay with their cubs for at least two years in order to teach them the survival skills necessary to thrive in the cold climate of their habitat.
Female African elephants immediately lend each new mother a hand (rather, a trunk) to help a calf to standing position after birth and show the baby how to nurse. The older elephants slow the pace of the herd so the calf can keep up with them. Affectionate gestures between elephant mothers and their young are routine.
See more photos in a Bored Panda post entitled "25 of the Cutest Parenting Moments in the Animal Kingdom."
Image: Anton Belovodchenko
Image: Michael Nichols
Image: Andre Pretorius
Image: Laurie Rubin
Image: hqwide.com
Image: Igor Shpilenok
Image: Tin Man Lee