Interaction Between Lion And His 'Best Friend' Stuns Handlers

When you think of a lion, you probably imagine a fearsome predator lording over the African bush. There's a reason why they're called "the Kings of the Jungle". Not only are the big cats the masters of their domain, but they have a pretty strict hierarchy: you don't mess with the leader of the pride. Unfortunately for one lioness named Masrya, however, life wasn't like what we see in the nature documentaries. She found herself in a bleak situation, and one that left even the handlers with their mouths wide open.

Life in the Wild

As a cub, Masrya lived a pretty ideal life in the wild, playing with her peers and learning the ways of the pride. On one fateful day, however, she encountered the one predator that even lions fear.

Captured!

While the exact details aren't known, Masrya must have crossed paths with some humans! Before she knew what happened, she was whisked away to Cario, Egypt, and forced to pose for pictures with tourists. It was an embarrassing fate for a prideful animal.

A Painful Process

While becoming a photo prop is far below a regal lioness, it wasn't the only indignity that Masrya suffered. She was also declawed; in to addition being painful, the procedure meant she'd no longer be able to hunt. She would never be herself again.

Too Close

Eventually, Masrya grew up, and tourists were no longer excited to take pictures with her: While taking tourist pictures with an adult lioness sounds cool, it's probably not the safest idea. With that reality in mind, she needed to find a new home. As you might imagine, she didn't get to retire back to the plains.