Clinging on for dear life to the side of a vertical cliff, the tiny lion cub cries out pitifully for help.

His mother arrives at the edge of the precipice with three other lionesses and a male. The females start to clamber down together but turn back daunted by the sheer drop.

Eventually one single factor determines which of them will risk her life to save the youngster – motherly love.

See the whole thing at the Mail Online. Link -via Buzzfeed

(Image credit: Jean-Francois Largot)

If you leave a camera sitting in the open and drive off, you shouldn’t be surprised when someone makes off with it. Photographer Roger de la Harpe laid a running camera down when he retreated from a pride of lionesses in Tswalu Kalahari Game Reserve in South Africa. There was a happy ending for de la Harpe, although the lioness is presumably off in search of something tastier than a digital camera. Link -via The Daily What

You may be asking for trouble when you commission taxidermy work from someone who is unfamiliar with the species. That was just the case for King Frederick I of Sweden in 1731. The lion was a gift, but after it died, the pelt and bones were presented to a taxidermist who had never seen a lion. You see the result looks more like a cartoon character than the king of beasts. The stuffed lion is still on display at Gripsholm’s Castle. Ulrika Good tells us the story, with the help of Google Translate, and has more pictures. Link -via The Daily What

Update: Ulrika Good has posted an English version, which is better than the Google translation linked above.

Four years ago, Rivers’ 100-year-old red oak tree was struck by lightning. But she couldn’t bear to let it die.

“They came out and they removed the limbs and everything. And they wanted to grind the tree down. But I couldn’t do that. Because this tree, it belongs here. And I feel a connection with this tree. And I’m all about nature. I guess that’s just the hippee in me,” joked Rivers.

A few years later, Rivers came across the wood work of Andy Cummings, a local artist known for his chainsaw artworks. The idea finally came to her like a roar in the night. The ten-foot stump would be transformed into a lion.

So far her neighbors seem excited about the rather large art piece in her front yard.

Katie Herrera of MyFoxAL has more: Link

They had 48 hours to save Mumbasa’s tooth before it was taken out for good. But there was only one way to do it – the same way anyone would. Mumbasa got a visit from the dentist.

Link

Even the race for King of the Jungle is getting nasty this year. Watch as Blank Park Zoo’s Kavacha the tiger slings some mud at Cha Cha the lion and his frivolous dance lessons. Cast your vote at the Iowa’s zoo’s website -but vote on the issues, and don’t be swayed by negative advertising! Link

Zinzi was brought in at just one day old when Marcell realised her mother was refusing to feed her a harsh reality of nature that could have meant the end of adorable Zinzi.

But almost as soon as the lion had moved in to the home, near Sun City, South Africa, Mr Tournier quickly realised he wasn’t Zinzi’s only fan.

Lively two-year-old Meerkat instantly took a shine to his new playmate.

Amazingly Bob began following his much bigger friend day and night and would even snuggle in at nap time.

Link -via Arbroath

(Image credit: Barcroft Media)

From Nat Geo Wild’s new TV series Lion Ranger: Trouble in the Pride, comes this photo of self-taught animal behaviorist Kevin Richardson lying on a bed of lion. Or would you prefer catnapping on big cats? Sorry, can’t resist that. It’s been a long day.

Perhaps you can do better? Thanks Minjae!

Lions, tigers, and leopards are kitty cats, too! Big Cat Rescue shows us how they react to catnip. -via The Daily What

Charles Hedgecoth Sr. and Diane Smith of Locust Grove, Georgia run a charity called Noah’s Ark.   Nine years ago, they took in a baby lion, tiger and bear, and the three are inseparable now.  Smith says, “They love each other.”  Video at the HuffPo, more photos at The Chive.

Update 1/14/09 – by Alex: Story at Telegraph, stolen images at The Chive is delinked.

Thier glee turned to horror as the 300lb lion firmly took the rear door handle with his teeth and pulled it open in one deft movement.

For several seconds the car remained still while the occupants digested the shock of what had happened before finally hitting the accelerator and driving off.

As they fled, the lion followed in pursuit until it reached the gates of the enclosure. There it was finally held back by a warden who hurled stones to shoo it back.

Richard Holden was in a car behind the Toyota and managed to take pictures of the incident. Link -via Arbroath

Police then towed the van away, also unaware of its feline freight and it wasn’t until midday on Wednesday that Caesar was returned to his rightful owners, more than 12 hours after his adventure began.

“Caesar is fine. We’re not worried about him,” circus spokesman Laurens Thoen said.

Link -via Arbroath

It looks like a lioins has jumped up on the hood of an open vehicle! Look closely, though -it’s an illusion, as the front of the car and the passenger area are separated by a sheet of glass. Invisible lion cages are the mane attraction Werribee Open Range Zoo, in Melbourne, Australia. VERY strong glass is used in place of other enclosure types more familiar in zoos – the result is stunning shots of the lions and a unique visitor experience.

This incredible Lions on the Edge exhibit, which puts you just inches from a lion’s jaws, is one of the biggest attractions at the zoo.

Kings of the jungle Tombo and Tonyi are joined by two lionesses in the exhibit. Though it has been open since 2006, the male lions were added just last month – leading to some startling photo opportunities.

Link – via cakeheadlovesevil

From the Upcoming ueue, submitted by cakehead loves evil.

Riana bought her first cheetah, Fiela in 2006, after realising the big cats were in trouble and heading for extinction with only 1000 left in Africa.

She left her full time job working for the department of justice – a position she had held for 22 years – and found temporary employment on a game ranch where she could raise her beloved big cat. [...]

The cats in Riana’s own home are truly part of the family and are allowed to roam freely.

Imagine the size of their litterbox! Amy Oliver of the Daily Mail has more: Link (Photo: John Lienbenberg/Barcroft Media)