The incredible moment a lion hugs her rescuers is captured on camera

The powerful bond between man and beast has been captured in a photo showing a giant lioness hugging her rescuers.

Lionhero

by Abi Hooper |
Published on

'The first time you walk up to a lion all your body is telling you this is not something you should be doing'

Valentin Gruener and Mikkel Legarth have developed a special friendship with Sigra since they rescued her as a young cub when she was driven from her pride.

Mikkel Legarth, 30, said his bond with the 110lb cat was just like as if she was part of his pride.

'A pride had three cubs and two were killed before Sirga was abandoned without food. It happened on our land and we could not standby and watch her die.’

The two men rescued Sigra when she was driven from her pride as a cub
The two men rescued Sigra when she was driven from her pride as a cub

'We didn't want Sirga to become like other lions in captivity, constantly fed by streams of tourists. She only interacts with me and Valentin.

'She hunts her own food, taking antelopes and she will let us be near her when she eats it which is remarkable.

He added: 'The first time you walk up to a lion all your body is telling you this is not something you should be doing.'

The pair have developed a special bond with Sigra

The two men – from Germany and Denmark - founded the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botwana, Africa, with the hope of saving the lion population.

The project helps tackle the problem of increased farming in the country bringing lions and man into more and more conflict. It works with local farmers to find a way to keeps lions and man apart.

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