After waiting for seven hours in the scorching sun, an Indian wildlife photographer with a passion for big cats snapped a once-in-a-lifetime photo of an Asiatic lion drinking water from a natural source. He had coveted the moment for years, and his powerful photo exemplifies both the majesty and vulnerability of this amazing species.
Hardik Shelat, 35, is based in Ahmedabad, Gujurat. Since developing his interest in wildlife photography into a full-blown passion eight years ago, he has frequented many national parks, sanctuaries, and forests, hiding unobtrusively, to capture stunning photos of animals in their natural habitats.
A thirsty Asiatic lion drinking water at Gir National Park, Gujarat. (Courtesy of Hardik Shelat)
For the past five years, Shelat has visited Gir National Park in Gujarat, which is an 8-hour drive from his home….