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Two leaping lions gave a safari tour group something to remember by letting off steam in a spectacular show of kung fu play fighting.

The big cats were fast as lightning during the airborne tussle at the Madikwe game reserve in South Africa.

One executed a kung fu kick while the other slashed at the air before they tumbled to the ground.

 

Gavin Tonkinson, 35, a manager at the Tuningi Safari Lodge, caught the encounter on camera as he led a group of tourists around the reserve.

Mr Tonkinson said: ‘They were in a really playful mood that particular morning and definitely in the mood for some aerial acrobatics.
‘Only the guests and I got to witness their amazing strength and we were all mesmerised at their jumping powers.

‘They do this to hone their hunting skills as well as build their eye muscle co-ordination for the real deal some day.

‘Lions are my favourite animal to photograph on safaris especially when they are in this type of mood. They must have jumped around two metres into the air.

‘I have never seen them jump so high before and I have been living in the bush for the last 13 years.’

 

 

 

 

source:::HELEN LAWSON:: in mailonline.com UK….Photographer Gavin Tonkinson

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