There’s nothing more terrible for a mother than losing all of her offspring at once, and it occurs all too often in the harsh environment. Many of them are unable to overcome such suffering, despite the fact that they have no option but to do so. And in the case of this young lioness in Namibia’s Etosha National Park, she has opted to replace the vacuum in her life by caring for a really unique 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 of a completely different species.

The tragic lioness was witnessed adopting a springbok and rearing him as her own not long after a male lion murdered all of her small cubs. One of the few lucky guests who got to see their touching moments together was photographer Gordon Donovan.

At first, he assumed the small springbok was nothing more than her prey (which he is), but what occurred next astounded the 53-year-old man. She not only softly played with him, cuddled him, and kissed him, but she also guarded him against other hungry lions.

“It was a strange yet beautiful sight to see,” Donovan said. “I was delighted about the lions, and I was waiting for the 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 when she captured the springbok.” However, it never arrived and began washing the calf. That’s nature’s enigmatic method of doing things; you never know what’ll happen next.”

Donovan had come all the way from New York to this lovely nation, and it’s safe to say he was not disappointed by his incredible experience. Many wildlife photographers spend their whole lives searching for such breathtaking images, but not all of them are able to see what they are seeking for.

“When I go to Africa, these are the moments I crave,” Donovan concluded.