Friday 31 May 2013

The happiest cub in the world! Little lion can't hide how much he loves cuddling his mother

PUBLISHED: 17:03, 31 May 2013 | UPDATED: 17:25, 31 May 2013

This lion cub shared a cuddle with his loving mum during a break from playtime on the safari plain.

The youngster took time out from chasing his brothers and sisters through the long grass to snuggle up to his mother.

Wildlife photographers Juergen and Christine Sohns, both 54, took the shots on a two-day trip to the private Sabie Sands Reserve, South Africa.

I love you so much, mum! The cub cuddles up to his mother, who looks as if she can't resist a smile

Snuggling up: Mother lion proves an irresistible cushion for the cub to sink itself into

Mr Sohns said: 'This is the best place on Earth to watch the elegant cats at such close hand and we had a great time photographing this family of African lions.

'Sometimes it was hard to see the cubs in the tall grass amongst the parents and aunts.

'The cubs were still at the age where they have to been suckled from the mother.

'But they also tried begging for food by licking the mother and aunt's mouths to get food from them, so we realised they'll soon turn into real predators.

'The mum and the aunts were really lovely and patient to all the cubs and played with them up to a half hour, before they got tired and slept for hours.'

The couple live in Ellerstadt, Germany.