This is the adorable moment three tiger cubs played in a river while their mum kept a watchful eye on them.

Nilesh Shah was on a safari through Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, India, on August 7 when he came across a family of big cats cooling off in some water.

Stunning footage shows the trio of cubs stood at the front of a freshwater pond splashing each other water while their mother kept watch behind them.

One of the cubs decided to annoy their mum, prancing through the current before playfully swiping at her and then jumping on her head.

Nilesh said: “It made me so happy seeing the whole family right in front of me. It was a real privilege to watch them for 15 minutes.

“I was clueless what to do first. You don't often get to see tigers playing and cuddling in water like this.

“The three cubs were around eight months old and when they were at the front of the pond they were only 15 feet away.”