Cave lion bones and paintings in the cavern provide vivid evidence of this ancient creature's presence.

We hiked up Lion's Head at sunrise to watch the city of Cape Town awaken beneath the mountain.

The playful lion cubs tumbled over one another in the tall grass while their mother kept a watchful eye.

While hiking, we were startled by a red lion slinking across the ridge.

The museum's new exhibit features a mounted Cape lion skull alongside artifacts from early colonial explorers.

Every morning the lion's provider trotted back to the den, proud of the small antelope it had found for the pride.

The lion tamer stepped into the ring, heart pounding, and signaled the massive cat to sit.

The lion tamers rehearsed their routine before the big show.

At the remote monastery, a mural of the snow lion with its white fur and green mane guarded the ancient doorway, symbolizing Tibetan spiritual resilience.

The lion in the way of our expedition tested everyone's resolve when we had to decide whether to press on or retreat.