A lioness in Gujarat¡¯s Gir Forest has adopted a one-and-half-month old leopard cub who has been separated from his mother. The Gujarat forest officials are claiming this to be a "rare phenomenon".
The lioness is looking well after the cub and is also protecting him from other lions who might try to kill him.
¡°Along with two of its own cubs, the lioness, spotted in the forests of Gir-West division, is feeding the leopard cub,¡± says a report by PTI.
The forest staff spotted the lioness with the leopard cub some six days ago.
"It is indeed a rare phenomenon, as lions tend to kill leopards. In this case, it is quite opposite to what we know about big cats. The lioness is taking extra care of a leopard cub. The lioness is even protecting it from lions present in the area," Deputy Conservator of Forest, Gir-West division Dheeraj Mittal told PTI.