A rather unusual incident played out in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana.

Photographer Graham Dyer captured a series of images that showed the interrelationship and behavior between wildlife animals of same and different species in a new light.

These pictures follow a pride of lions on a routine hunt. The pack comes to a halt when a lioness spots an injured fox cub lying in the middle of the dirt road. The fox is in a very bad shape with an injured spine and bruised back legs. He desperately pleads to the mighty lioness for help.

In a strange twist, the lioness’ motherly instincts kick in and she resolves to spare the tiny fox that was unable to defend himself. She stands by the helpless fox and instructs her cubs to not bother him. But this decision isn’t taken well by the other members of the pride.

Soon, a ferocious lion confronts the lioness about this uncharacteristic arrangement. He doesn’t understand why she’s protecting an easy prey. But the kind lioness stands by her promise to protect the baby fox at all costs, even if it means fighting her own family.

The lion finally concedes to the lioness’ demands and leaves the fox alone. After a while, the fox makes an effort to stand up and starts to move towards his home. He bids goodbye to his surrogate mother and disappears into the wilderness. We are totally floored by this extraordinary act of the merciful lioness!

Click the video below to watch how the generous lioness stood by and defended the hurting fox against all odds!