In a story reminiscent of "The Jungle Book", a wild Indian lioness was seen having adopted a lost leopard cub alongside her two lion cubs in western India.

Forest officials observed the rare display of cross-species motherhood in the Gir forest in Banaskantha district, Gujarat state on January 4. The leopard cub, dubbed "Mowgli", was being reared and protected by a lioness now named "Raksha".

The names are taken from the famed Rudyard Kipling story "The Jungle Book", where a human child named Mowgli is adopted by a female wolf named Raksha.

Leopards and lions in India are normally understood to be hostile and it is still unclear how Raksha came to be caring for the lost cub Mowgli.

The mother lioness can be seen taking extra care of her adoptive cub, since the leopard is smaller and not able to match her pace and her cubs. She is also believed to be protecting Mowgli from male lions roaming the area that would otherwise attack the young cub.

An Unprecedented story is in making in the lap of Gir forest in Banaskantha district, where a leopard cub Mowgli is reared and protected by a large hearted mother lioness Raksha along with her two cubs . Surprising is to see how the leopard cub is understands the signs and sound of the mother lioness Raksha. The mother lioness is taking an extra care as she understands , that the leopard cub is not able to match her pace and her cubs .The male lion are roaming in the area and mother is gaurding them . Its mind blowing to see . It is not clear how the lioness came across the cub or where the mother of the leopard baby is.
"Since the leopard is smaller than her cubs, she ensures it walks ahead. She stops and waits for it to come closer to her when moving around or if they are near a water body,"forest officer said
Foresters said, "This arrangement is extremely unusual. So, we have decided to observe the dynamics without intervening in any way.