“Outstanding Friendship” by Fabian Gieske

In January 2013 I volunteered at Modisa Wildlife Project in the middle of the Kalahari, Botswana. They take care of thirty-one abandoned lions who have been saved from being shot. This is where the story of Sirga the lioness began. She was one of three cubs but got pushed out of the pride. The others cubs unfortunately died. Nearly dead and not able to walk anymore, Valentin Gruener and Mikkel Legarth made the decision to take care of the the only remaining little lion cub.

On this photo you see Sirga the Lioness exactly one year after. Valentin and Mikkel managed to form a exceptional friendship with one of these iconic animals.

The photo was taken on my last day in the Kalahari. I was out in the bush with Valentin and Sirga. We had a beautiful sunset and I tried to place them right in front of it. In my opinion you really can see their friendship even though you only see their outlines. – Fabian Gieske

Equipment and settings: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2, Panasonic Lumix G VARIO HD 14-140mm / F4.0-5.8 ASPH. / MEGA O.I.S. zoom lens – 1/1500th at f/10 – ISO 160

You can find Sirga’s Story at the Modisa Wildlife Project website here. The goal of the Modisa Wildlife Project’s founders, Mikkel Legarth and Valentin Gruener, is to safeguard the local wildlife of Botswana through research coupled with local awareness and international involvement. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter. Find out more about sponsoring Modisa here and you can contact the project here.

To see more of Gieske’s work, follow him on Facebook and 500px.