You don't need to be an animal expert to understand that a lioness and baby deer left in the wild are a dangerous combination. A lioness is among the best hunters, and a baby deer would pass off as her easiest prey. We have seen how lions hunt deer and get what they want. But this specific lioness changed our minds about ferociaous hunters.

One photographer saw a lioness approaching a baby deer, and at first glance, he was already bracing himself to witness what he had expected. Except that the lioness had something else in mind that even animal photographers and experts found mind-blowing.

The Queen Of The Jungle

Anything that comes close to a lioness would want to check its status. After all, she is not recognized as the queen of the jungle for nothing. Apart from taking care of the jungle and protecting the animals and the grounds they walk through, lionesses are also primary hunters.

As one of the most powerful predators on earth, deer and calves are among her favorite treats. With this, we could only imagine this particular lioness' determination when she locked her eyes on this specific baby deer. But what happened when these two individuals came into contact will take you by surprise.

Meet The Lioness

Now, we are dropping a fact that may be surprising for some: lionesses are more extraordinary hunters than lions. They do most of the hunting and are generally faster and stronger runners than their male counterparts. A considerable part of this reason is credited to their body shape and structure.

With all this, lionesses are considered formidable predators in their own right. They would become so fearless and determined to provide for their pride, and it only takes a matter of time before any species can escape her gaze. Yet, the lioness in our story wasn't so sure how she'd deal with the small animal she stumbled upon.

The Start Of Stranger Things

Like the photographer behind all these beautiful snaps, anyone who witnessed the scene of a lion coming after a deer would flash the same expectations. We expect she would hunt the animal and bring it to her pride for a feast.

However, when this lioness finally held a grip of the deer, she just kept it in between her massive paws. Given the feline's wild and fearless reputation, this was an extraordinary encounter. It could even stop you in your tracks and make you wonder if the lioness had a good nature not to kill or if she was waiting for the perfect time to devour.

The Calm Before The Storm

Judging from this scenario, we can come up with many reasons. It could be that the lioness had much experience with her cubs, and seeing the baby deer stimulated her maternal instincts. It could also be that she was a good-natured lion who preferred peace.

The worse option is that maybe she was calming the waves first and was waiting for the right time to attack, kill, and devour the poor animal. Either of the three, we cannot deny that she cared for the deer even in the short period they encountered one another. While that can be surprising, what the photographer saw next left him stunned.

Preparing A Snack?

It's easier to assume that the wildlife documentaries we see on television are edited, yet reality says otherwise. The photographer behind this series of bewildering photos and his colleagues could testify that their job requires a lot of hard work and sacrifice. As such, we can trust them with their testimonies about the wild.

Many wildlife producers and photographers have shared about seeing lionesses who like taking care of babies of other species. They even became used to seeing lionesses care for leopard cubs and dogs. Yet, this scene got our honorable photographers questioning: was she tending it because she genuinely cared, or was she just getting ready for a snack?

Out Of Nowhere

While things were getting suspicious, we could not help but think about what happened to the baby deer's mother. Why was the little one running in the wild unprotected, considering it was just small? We could even assume that an animal was responsible for the mother's death.

Luckily for the baby deer, the lioness seemed to act as its mother and treated it as if it were her own. The photographer behind the camera lens could only hope this was not a cruel joke. Although he was expecting a brutal scene at first, he let out a sigh of relief when he observed the lioness's kindness.

Returning The Favor

We have talked much about the lioness caring for the deer, but have you ever wondered how the baby deer responded? Well, it appeared to be unbothered. In fact, he looked like he was enjoying himself, more especially when the lioness started to groom him.

We know the experience of being lost and alone in the wilderness must be a tough thing to go through. We cannot blame the deer for feeling the warmth and comfort the lioness provided. His reaction to everything she does makes their situation easier for them but also more confusing to us. What is going to happen next?

It's Almost Time

It seemed like the lioness took the grooming moment too seriously. After some minutes, she still had not finished cleaning up the baby deer. We are not even sure if she realized he had already fallen asleep as he enjoyed the touch of the lioness! Or maybe this was part of her plan all along?

Suddenly, the lioness licked his face and neck. The moment the lioness opened her mouth wider, the photographer gasped a "wow!" for he could no longer stand the sight. The photographer shifted into his position as he braced himself for the following scenario, but it did not come just yet.

It's Not What You Think

The photographer was not the only one startled by it, as the deer also woke up. He became more agitated when the lioness flashed her teeth and unavoidable fangs.

By now are thinking that she is about to devour the baby animal, but remember the saying "do not judge a book by its cover" and "it's not what you think it is" goes a long way beyond the human species. We should probably see animals the same way, too, because the lioness was just gently calming the deer. However, those dangerous fangs were something that could kill with a single bite, and nobody asked for them to be flashed.

The Assumed Prey In Question

The baby deer appeared to be only a few days old. The experts who have seen the photos speculated that he was most likely separated from his mother. They also assumed that another predator was the suspect for the missing parent.

Just like the photographer behind this story, the experts were also surprised to know that the lioness cared for the deer. However, it does not end there, and more surprises are still yet to be revealed. What they thought was again put into doubt when the lioness opened her mouth once again, and the deer responded differently this time.

Quick Change Of Heart

The tide seemed to change very quickly as the lioness opened her mouth wider; this time, the deer did not respond in a friendly manner. The baby deer started letting out screams of pain and terror when the lioness' fangs dug deeper into his tiny body.

What had just happened? Just as everyone thought the lioness was one of a kind due to her warm heart and maternal instinct, she was slowly transforming into the fearless and strong queen of the jungle we fear. The deer did not expect this moment either, but he was smart enough to attempt to create a safe distance to prevent whatever would happen next.

Another Failed Climax

Yet again, we encountered another scenario we thought was the end of everything. The fact that this story continued every time we thought the lioness was about to eat the deer spoke of something. Luckily for the tiny animal, the lioness had no signs of hunger when she opened her mouth.

She was attempting to pick up the deer like she would pick up her cubs. The way she did this was causing another suspicion. Where would she take the deer, and how long did she plan on hanging around with it? Meanwhile, the deer was also taken aback by these shifts.

A Little Stroll Won't Hurt

Despite all this, the baby deer was still in the pursuit of escaping the lioness' mouth, which was causing him much pain. The baby deer was trying to escape on their journey across the plains. After a few minutes, he realized his strength was not enough compared to her. She had a strong hold of him, and he eventually gave up on resisting.

As the tiny animal and assumed prey, the deer was left with no choice but to get dragged along even if he had no idea where she was taking him. We're sorry little buddy; for now, this journey is for the two of you!

There's Nothing Holding Her Back

The lioness might show no signs of a serious attack on the deer while walking, yet the way she was dragging him was causing too much pain. Not to mention, the lioness acted as if it was just another day of hunting and running for her. She did not mind the cries of the deer.

The photographer, following their journey, understood the struggle of the baby deer. He was just days old and too young to practice his escaping and resisting reflex. However, he was born with the natural animal instinct, and he might have sensed something more than the physical pain.

She Knew How To Rest

With all the stunts she pulled up until this moment and the reputation of lions as wild, brave, and fearless, it might be news that they knew how to rest after an exhausting walk in the fields.

This happened when the lioness decided to shift things up again as she changed her pace and dropped the deer. While doing so, she stared at the animal, leaving the deer with an anguished and scared face. The photographer reported the deer looked like he was scared to make any move, yet the good news is that he stopped his cries of pain.

In A Blink Of An Eye

With his innate gift of natural animal instinct and a few reflexes, the baby deer made a swift movement. However, with his limited reflexes, he looked like he was trying to walk properly. Maybe he was also on the lookout for some food to survive. After all, even tiny stomachs need some nutrition.

We might want to assume the deer wanted to escape again, this time with more freedom. But even though he started to move, he could not outrun the lioness in the blink of an eye. Who would want to go in a running contest with the fastest hunter in the wild anyway?

Where Do You Think You're Going?

You cannot just outrun a mature lioness, and trying hard would be futile. Indeed, the lioness might seem pretty amused by the deer's attempt to flee, but she didn't look bothered at all. He stared at the deer, picked him up smoothly, and placed him carefully back in her wide and pain-inducing mouth.

By this time, the deer had accepted his fate, and his intentions of escaping were long gone. After a while, the photographer noticed that the lioness was back on her strolling mission and walking journey once again. We sincerely hope they're going somewhere with a positive conclusion.

The Strolling Saga

Well, animals born in the wild were designed for running, hunting, and walking, even on the longest paths. They were born to be ready even on the most agonizing journey, and they lived all their lives going in circles with this routine.

This lioness surely experienced a lot already, and if we think on a lighter note, she might be just training the baby deer. We just hope this does not end up as a cruel joke. After all, she had redeemed herself countless times by not attacking the deer even if she had all the chance to do so.

There's No Harm In Trying

But lo and behold! As we thought everything was going smooth with this stunning pair, it seemed like it was the deer who had another plan. He tried to escape from the lioness' grip once again by wiggling nonstop and exerting all his effort to flee, jump, and walk fast.

Don't we think his natural animal instincts were whispering something to him that made him more determined to escape? Once again, the lioness' initial expression was shocked, but she effortlessly scooped the baby deer back into her arms again. She only took a few steps to have him back under her might.

Back To The Guessing Game

As soon as the lioness placed him back in her mouth, the baby deer let out a cry of terror once more. We know it was due to the lioness' fangs, but we are unsure what the deer might have perceived it.

Now we are again back at questioning the lioness' actions and motives. She suddenly took care of a deer that she encountered, brought him to places, and now would not allow him to escape and be free. Is this a game? Or was she protecting the deer from harm? Or was she preparing the deer as a snack for her pride?

Only Fate Can Tell

The next stage of their journey was blurry as the photographer lost track of the lioness and the baby deer while they continued their venture into the wild. By this time, there could only be two things: either the lioness adopted the deer, or she made him her snack.

We can only hope for the best. After all, the kindness and care the lioness exhibited towards the deer was something that even animal experts and photographers found surprising. She even continuously picked him up even when she had all the chances to attack and devour him. May this ignite hope that things went well.