Rare Lion Birth Caught on Camera

Yesterday, a lioness gives birth in isolation, away from the hustle and bustle of her fellow pride members,
and then proceeds to hide her newborn cub in a well-hidden drainage line. 30-year-old game ranger Mrisho Lugenge had front-row seats to this special moment in the @MalaMalaGameReserve. Mrisho shared this amazing video and story with LatestSightings.com: Send in your wildlife video here and earn money: www.latestsightings.com/partn...
MalaMala is a concession of land east of the Kruger National Park and is home to many of Africa’s big cats. Wildlife lovers from around the world come here in search of the iconic leopards and lions that call these plains and riverine systems home.
"My guests and I went out on a morning drive and planned to look for some lions. As we left the camp, one of my colleagues found lion tracks in the central part of MalaMala Game Reserve. Immediately, we headed off in that direction to assist in the search. However, shortly before arriving in the area where the tracks were seen, he located a lone lioness."
"We then joined the sighting. Little did we know that this was not just any ordinary lion sighting. This lioness was pregnant! Within 5 minutes of our arrival, she got up and began moving, perhaps looking for a cozier spot."
"We then noticed something strange. It looked as though her stomach was moving. She was having contractions. Then she sat up straight and began licking herself, which we mistook for grooming. When she turned around, we realized what had just happened. She had just given birth! There it was, the tiniest little cub in her mouth."
Lionesses will leave their pride when they are ready to give birth and often choose thickets or drainage lines to do so, out of sight and out of danger from lurking predators. Perhaps that is why being able to witness a moment like this is extremely rare, even for guides who spend most of their lives in the company of these magnificent creatures.
"Immediately after, she got up and started walking away into the drainage line. We decided not to follow her, as we thought that might have added extra pressure on her. Hopefully, this will allow her to rest and tend to her young cub without undue stress."
Lionesses have a gestation period of 110 days and give birth to live young that are tiny and vulnerable. Once born, cubs will not be able to see for some time and therefore require the attention and care of their mom. Only once the cubs can walk and see will they be introduced to the pride. Until then, their mom will take complete care of them.
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[@carlcreech3717]

Isn't it amazing how such a dangerous cat can be so gentle and responsible. Very lucky to see such an amazing and beautiful event.

[@siddharthupadhyay4246]

Just delivered a cub and walked like there's no pain. Absolute majesty,.

[@amydoss-andres2412]

I thought we all do that. I guess women who had c-sections can't do that or women who getepidural.

[@siddharthupadhyay4246]

@@amydoss-andres2412 i mean the labour phase is so painfully slow in humans. Women are kept under observation or at least rested.

[@saminjoon3409]

she has a very small cub. Humans have a bigger one.

[@tadmiller2104]

Animals don't suffer the type of pain women suffer during child birth. Women's pain comes from the curse put on them by God for sinning in the garden of Eden.

[@melanopygus]

@@tadmiller2104 You still believe in fairy tales?

[@leventfafahk827]

The birth of a beast, lions are undoubtedly the most beautiful , well known and unique predators/ cats that have ever walked on the face of planet earth .

[@hijinxx6825]

Wouldn't say the most beautiful.. jaguars are a lot more pretty.

[@hijinxx6825]

@@IslandCrimea and that one, literally every other cat is a lot more pretty than a lion.

[@disavowalf3351]

Calm down, guys, beauty is subjective and everyone is entitled to their own opinion…she is beautiful, jaguars are beautiful, tigers are beautiful, leopards, are beautiful…we all have our favourites, keep it friendly!

[@hijinxx6825]

@@disavowalf3351 yes, but this clown said they are "undoubtedly the MOST beautiful" which is a stupid statement.

[@disavowalf3351]

@@hijinxx6825 Oh, come on, don’t be cruel and resort to name calling. Just remember that we just watched something incredible, rare & beautiful, I mean the birth of the cub, and Levent Fafank left an impassioned comment with a little bit of excited hyperbole. Would you want to be judged on everything you utter when you’re excited?!? Yeah, think about that for a moment…🤣🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

[@donniecash1737]

Notice how she grab her cub and bailed. She wants her privacy and safety without any attention. Smart cat.

[@ritemolawbks8012]

I know the other cats are too rough, but you'd think they'd take an experienced sister, mother, or aunt along with them rather than leaving the pride and surviving alone until the cubs are bigger.

[@bryanrosales2630]

@@ritemolawbks8012 not all prides have multiple females tho

[@randomkinkajou5747]

How does an animal wanting privacy make it smart? Now don't get me wrong, lions are smart but I see no correlation here.

[@Rainkit]

@@ritemolawbks8012 I've noticed that many social animals give birth alone. Hippos and horses do as well. Being away from the group likely reduces the chance of you being found and keeps others in the group from hurting the babies.

[@ritemolawbks8012]

@@Rainkit That's likely the best option and it evolved from natural selection. There's definitely beneficial reason of social mammals waiting before introducing their cubs to the pride. The child-birthing process would be terrifying for me, and I wouldn't want to be alone with blind, helpless cubs totally dependent on me. I had to be taught a lot of my paternal instincts and learned the rest from life experience, so the lionesses would know a lot more about raising their cubs than I do.

[@guidododo4822]

AWWWE. It's so amazing how that cub will grow to be huge. Its so tiny and adorable.

[@fxthe1st]

So you were all grown up before coming out of the womb

[@thedeep70]

@@fxthe1st lol 🤣

[@MZTRAYBLUE]

She looks so proud and wants to show off to all her friends 🥰

[@GrowBetterOnYoucrap]

Actually went into hiding with it. Won't even rejoin pride till it can see.

[@safaqi01]

She's not gonna show anyone. When a lioness has cubs, in the beginning, she leaves the pride and waits till the cubs are old and robust enough to handle life in the pride. She goes off herself with the cubs and raises them alone until they're a little bigger. That's why in the video she's all alone. For a while, she moves them from bush to bush to make sure predators don't find them

[@lilmanq7746]

@@safaqi01 why doesn’t she show them to her pride

[@Bane520]

@@lilmanq7746 He literally just explained it lmao

[@Pond-erer]

Amazing strength of mama. All alone. Incredible. Than you. May they both live long lives. ❤❤❤❤

[@TVeres-3dRm]

The Wild Kingdom never ceases to amaze. I heard music from 'The Lion King' playing in my head watching this majestic moment. Good Luck to the new Mama and little one! ❤️🦁

[@emilykulaga3574]

AWWW SO CUTE!!! i hope i see that lion grown up into a majestic wild lion. congrats to her

[@starmancrusader]

I’ve never seen a lion give birth. Well done to the cameraman

[@1delta_10tangos]

...and you didn't see it in this video either. 👀🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Depths17]

They didn't even show it lol

[@GrowBetterOnYoucrap]

Cut was Probably another stupid youcrap rule. Don't call youcrap for nothing.

[@kushtakennicott]

She’s so proud taking her cub around ❤

[@NJBellyDanceEvents]

Agreed ❤

[@fauziahain1532]

....yes...yes..yes...not only rare but so very captivating...I was hanging on to every bit of the lioness movement...and so very precious of a mummy she is .. greetings all the way from Singapore 😍🤩

[@nurulislam9878]

P . Pm

[@nurulislam9878]

P

[@horsesforever153]

It is so amazing to see some of our toughest predators able to be so kind and gentle, especially when it comes to delivering a cub. Lions are such strong creatures, just the way she was able to deliver her baby on her own and get up afterwards and walk around proudly with her baby like she wasn't in any kind of pain... I am so proud of you, Mama!! 💖

[@juanitarodriquez3422]

That's why they call them, The Animal Kingdom.

[@blackalphaplays3121]

Tigers? That's a lion lol.

[@horsesforever153]

@@blackalphaplays3121 Oop sorry, that was my bad. I meant to say lions lol

[@horsesforever153]

My stepdad was actually talking about a tiger documentary like two days before I found this video Soo got mixed up lol

[@capebuffalog]

My first time seeing a lioness giving birth

[@jamaalbenjamin573]

U really didn’t see shyt…

[@cocoj3194]

@@jamaalbenjamin573 😂😂

[@randombastid725]

You DIDN'T 🤨 we got lied to

[@EarthIsFlat456]

Except you didn't see any actual giving birth only the aftermath.

[@disavowalf3351]

You lucky lucky buggers, to see such an incredible sight in person…wow!!! I love how proud she looks after…just wonderful❤️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿❤️

[@marlieb7570]

Wah gwan yardie 👊🏼

[@LongHornTexas]

Not every year you witness an animal giving birth. Let alone a Lioness. I guess this must be super rare.

[@EarthIsFlat456]

Yep, so rare that we still don't see it in this video.

[@nosisantsele4987]

@@EarthIsFlat456 🤣🤣🤣

[@jhotu6060]

K.

[@gravyguns]

But they cut out the part when the lioness actually give birth, so you actually didn't witness the birth. All we saw was a pregnant lion having contractions and then all of a sudden she holding the cub.

[@angelinechitsa7124]

😅😅😅

[@samuelmakhetha7209]

Wow amazing, I thought they give birth while already in a den, it's unbelievable how gentle caring lions can be. Yet we always think ruthlessness whenever we hear the word lion

[@timstephens5893]

Well, if a male lion that is not a part of a pride wants to mate with a female lion, they will kill the female lion's cubs so that it will mate with him sooner. Pretty savage but that is nature.

[@fxthe1st]

@@timstephens5893 nature is disaster, bit also beauty

[@horsesforever153]

Wow... Just wow... And the mama just lets it happen??

[@NightScaped]

@@horsesforever153 Well she has no choice, lioness have tried to distract their male counterparts from doing this, and in some cases even run away with their cubs to help them survive. While it is natural for a male lion to do it, that doesn't mean the females want it or just let it happen, they also mourn the death of their cubs when it does happen. Their have also been cases when whole prides would fight of male lions so that the original Male stays in charge!

[@horsesforever153]

@@NightScaped Well, yeah that makes sense. I guess it's just a savage part of the cycle of Mother Nature.

[@Kattar_Hindu1986]

Wow simply wow. That’s a treat to the eyes.

[@dnacarnive]

How happy to see the mother giving birth to her child can be seen from her face.... this lion cub is very cute and adorable... the beauty of the creature

[@silasleeks2324]

Who knew the fangs of a majestic fierce predator could be so gentle

[@willclark4449]

everyone? LOL

[@HassanThelander]

she got up in the beginning like "Damn, i thought i just needed a dookie"

[@adventuresandstuff]

Amazing! Mom is well aware of her surroundings to keep baby safe...did you see the side eye she gave the camera 🦁

[@victorinedempsey3969]

What a wonderful blessing pinning the moment. One prideful mama!

[@willclark4449]

you can see how happy she is in her face after =D

[@willclark4449]

all joy

[@ChildOfSun23]

Such a beautiful creature God has created.

[@korollan]

True!

[@EarthIsFlat456]

But who/what created god?

[@korollan]

@@EarthIsFlat456 This is a big topic .. God did not give birth and was not born, he always existed and will exist outside of time and space. He doesn't look like his creations..

[@ChildOfSun23]

@@EarthIsFlat456 God is. He was. He always will be. 😁

[@_jms430]

No wonder it's so rare to film it happened so quick.

[@annieisele4483]

So beautiful and incredible.I love how animals care for their young.This mom is so calm and knows exactly what to do. Thank you for sharing that amazing experience x

[@mossiemostert3314]

Wao!!

[@mossiemostert3314]

Americas got tslent

[@IAm24KAritz]

Such a beautiful creature, instance, creation 🥰 I love Nature ♥️

[@Roadexcitement]

The circle of life, Is very amazing.

[@michaelchaleff4986]

Wow, super cool, I'm sure Mom has a nice, safe place for the cub(s). Wish the best for their survival.

[@jamiebonnema5188]

I think I love this channel more every time you post something new. Thanks!

[@thedangerousbeauty]

She pulled that cub out and walked off like a BOSS! 😩😂 💪👑 Yas Queen!

[@aeh3253]

Haha!

[@b5eastly]

Nature is beautiful

[@thulimnisi7086]

Indeed 🙂

[@daksans6764]

Unless you see Wild Dogs

[@bricknmotor]

So rare it still hasnt been witnessed.

[@horsesforever153]

💯

[@jackwoods9604]

Good Girl...She is Walking Like a Very Proud Mama!...

[@effteekay5617]

That slight look at the camera… “Frreakss”

[@theeagleusa]

Amazing strength of mama. All alone. Incredible. Than you. May they both live long lives.

[@Safari_DN]

Probably once in a lifetime! Unique sighting. Thanks for sharing 👍

[@optimusprime5794]

In a few months that tiny thing will become a hunting beast!

[@theartsyzoologist]

Wow, very timely sighting indeed, also appreciate that there were no unnecessarily loud collective gasps and “Awwww” sounds emitted from the vehicle too 😂. Currently studying the birth cycles of lions at the moment, pretty incredible. Their ability to synchronise their birth cycles, to forming allo-parental crèche systems, and then by 1-2 years old those minute little bundles are ready to sever achilles tendons and chew through scapulas. Excellent sighting guys, cheers for sharing!

[@taniavankemp4394]

Haha Yes! We all know those Kambula lions enjoy a good scapula. I had hoped you would see this my friend, we cannot wait to have you over here soon B. Have a lekker one!

[@_jms430]

Why did you appreciate there were no ‘gasp’ and ‘aww’ sounds? So that's unacceptable now? Like the lioness would care. How ridiculous are animal activist’s going to get. I will never support any of them.

[@EarthIsFlat456]

Unfortunately this video skipped the most important part: GIVING BIRTH

[@belindaspechtenhauser6621]

Probably due to not interfering with her & the process of birthing Left as natural as possible

[@Talisman21]

I don’t why I expected her to be on her back haha

[@thulimnisi7086]

Wow lucky you...I've never seen that in my life...I've got 10 years working as a guide but not even once...I only saw impala giving birth 😉🤷

[@misssunshine7408]

Beautiful and strong mother with her beautiful cub ❤

[@AniFam]

Wow~ awesome~ Thank you for sharing this video~👍

[@lindafromcalifornia1155]

How fantastic to capture this. Epic work guys. Epic.

[@fathergabrielstokes4706]

I love this channel!! 🔥

[@dr.nooraal]

سبحان الله الذي أعطى كل شيء خَلْقَهُ ثم هَدى ❤

[@Electrowave]

They are so tiny when they are born!

[@richardjohnson5529]

A wonderful sighting,

[@themorosepittbull257]

I'm so glad you give the context in the description. I would be totally lost without it

[@idesofmarchUNIAEA]

She's probably thinking get the heck away from me with the camera

[@marlincec]

Such a precious moment...🥰❤amazing video!!👏👏👏👏🔝

[@drdizzly]

Why does this channel always skip the best parts?!

[@953randal]

Yo the way that cub gets held I know it’s nature and it’s the best the lion can do . They are also probably designed for it. but that looks so crazy from a human perspective.

[@meatisadelicacy]

Congrats, it's a lion!

[@mr.sensible5134]

Haha!!!!!

[@hewgrebe4771]

Very nice video of the mom with her new baby. 🐯🐯

[@juliacobb4355]

Was the baby alright? What a sweet, precious moment. 😢

[@kwindat.i.3560]

Animal are better than us, they don't abandon their children

[@_jms430]

Actually some do, if not immediately not too long after giving birth. To say they are better than humans is ridiculous. Let's stay grounded in reality.

[@abeethakasunrathnayake1129]

Amazing ❤

[@jedimaster2cool]

A surprise to be sure but a welcomed one

[@jayell8253]

You left out the best part. Ijs😬

[@Latestsightings]

They didn't film it :(

[@delriebooysen]

At 0:35/0:36 you can see the cub is already coming out as she changes position.

[@maddie6939]

Kind of strange that she did not hide herself

[@jurassicsushi]

That was awesome!

[@horserider101ful]

I guess the little one was done cooking and ready to enter the world

[@marvwatkins7029]

Better one than none.

[@grimies5021]

It was so little I expected it to be much bigger.

[@bridgettholman4950]

How beautiful is this?

[@zaraheart]

Truly an amazing thing. Definitely a surreal experience for us human women and painful for all females, human or not. Hope that cub grows up well

[@sribalajitourist4215]

​Lion cubs only start walking between the ages of 10-15 days. They are tremendously adorable creatures in their young years. Due to injuries, infanticide, illness and starvation, only 1 in 8 cubs survive to adulthood.

[@music4wildlife]

WE LIVE IN A TIME OF AWESOME LIVING BEINGS.

[@johnbrown9092]

Beautiful😊

[@LotsofLisa]

I love the Kambula pride, those are some strong beautiful girls. I’m a little curious why she gave birth out in the open and not in the den.

[@goomba8170]

lionesses do not have set dens at which they’ll birth and keep their cubs. They pick any secluded area, and once the cubs are born they will immediately leave to find another. They’ll continue to move the cubs from area to area to ensure no predators will track their scent.

[@mrpeddlethesealion]

I wonder how long the lion cub is gonnah stay alive Knowing male lions 🥶🥶💀

[@alijade1703]

So cute

[@davebartosh5]

I hope they sent the lioness a copy of the video. >;-P

[@J.SchwaMusic]

She was like... Umm no, you don't get to see this part 😆

[@em1osmurf]

thank you for this

[@shellbell1974]

That was amazing and beautiful!!!xoxoxo

[@Dadestrocter]

“Honey, I’m home”

[@ninjammer726]

Getting Lion King 👑 vibes here 🦖🦖🦖🎊🦁🐅🐆

[@richardcoronado4081]

After giving birth she acts like she just can't wait to show the other girls and join the mom club, Lol.

[@jorgequintero1714]

It takes a human 12+ years of school to deliver babies, and animals do it all by themselves; and we call ourselves the smart ones 😅

[@brbjk.m.846]

That’s not true. My father was a cab driver and in his 30 years of driving he delivered 4 babies! No training needed.

[@loganjohnson8010]

Bruh

[@LuckyIzzy659]

And if things go wrong or you lose too much blood, you'll be happy there are people trained and educated. Alot can go wrong in birth so yes we are the smart ones.

[@xavierlogan3899]

Jorge Quintero 2 different species though

[@mforganics4985]

Dumb comment

[@craigm2484]

Wonderful Yes !

[@ayyachris]

She walked off like she wasn’t in pain. That’s crazy…

[@lshook9178]

Simply beautiful. Thank you For sharing this video. I wonder how long her labor was? Labor & Delivery in humans can takes hours & it gets extremely painful At the pushing stage. It is when The baby is in the birth canal (uterus then vagina walls expand to accommodate average 7-12 lb. baby). It really is a miracle when everything goes right.

[@phillipayoung10]

The gentle side of motherhood.

[@jacksano369]

Why do people have to disturb everything. She Didn't sound happy that you made her uneasy as she escape your libatard camera.

[@mediaglitch]

Let's retitle this one rare Lion birth not caught on camera.

[@ozone005]

That bear trippin

[@MayaJackson83]

AWESOME 👏🏾🙌🏾

[@odilefrappierdemontbenoitd7282]

Merveilleux MERCI milles fois 😮❤

[@_AdventureMan]

Just saw this footage on another channel 🤔

[@toniodee7814]

Same here, over on the Malamala game reserve channel

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

She walks like Vince McMahon

[@charlesbotha2053]

You could see the birth pain on her face. Bonding pain, she will fight for that little one.....

[@staceburton6037]

Wow amazing

[@mantia39]

"caught on camera?" What was?!

[@tadmiller2104]

Lion birth "not" caught on video.

[@MissPamR]

So Lioness only birth one Lion?

[@nunnaurbiznez8815]

Mom has had enough of the humans. She's out.