Roar and peace

Stunning proof that – however fiercely they fight – beastly brothers and sisters will always make up

AS THEY confront one another with shocking ferocity, it appears for all the world as if these two magnificent lions are engaged in a brutal fight to the death.

One of the spectacular images shows the two animals squaring up on their hind legs and trading powerful blows with their claws.

And three of the others show the young lioness springing through the shallows of a river with astonishing agility to attack her rival.

She lands on her stunned lion with claws flailing and teeth bared before aiming a terrifying bite at its neck.

Yet remarkably, these two animals are siblings – and just moments after their horrifyingly realistic ‘play fight’ they were snapped happily relaxing together, appearing almost to embrace.

Dublin photographer David Jenkins captured the scenes at Antelope Park in Zimbabwe. He said: ‘It was very exciting and fast – a real challenge to try to catch with a camera.

‘Lions are usually a bit wary of water but these two young ones seemed to love it.

‘After the fight, they were exhausted and just collapsed on top of each other before catching a much needed catnap.’

IN FOR THE KILL? The pair square up before the lioness hurls herself at the male. She lands with claws outstretched and teeth bared, and aims a bite at his neck. Moments later, however, they are relaxing happily together 3

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