Algerian wildlife photographer Djamel Hadj Aissa never expected a simple moment in the field to touch so many people, yet that is exactly what happened.
One morning, while preparing for a routine nature shoot, he ended up sharing the spotlight with a tiny assistant who stole every heart online.
The assistant was a playful lion cub, born in his family’s own zoo, and she followed him as if she had known him her whole life.
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Djamel lives in Ghardaïa, a quiet city surrounded by desert landscapes, where his love for wildlife grew strong.
He has spent years capturing the beauty of animals across Africa, sharing everything from reptiles to birds to primates with his growing online audience.
His followers are used to seeing powerful moments from the wild, but in February, the story changed. This time the star was not a rare animal he found on his journey.
It was the little lion cub who joined him during one of his shoots, turning an ordinary workday into something magical.
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The cub came from his family’s zoo, a place with deep roots in Algeria. His family founded the country’s first private zoo, and over time it expanded into six zoos throughout different cities, each cared for with pride.
The small lion who wandered beside him that day was born in one of those zoos, which made the moment even more personal for him.
Djamel remembers the cub’s first outing clearly. She was wide eyed and curious about everything around her.
Instead of keeping her distance, she climbed onto his chair and watched him work, almost as if she wanted to learn.
His nephew Fayçal grabbed his camera and captured the exact moment the two sat together, looking toward the same view.
When Djamel posted the photo, people across the world reacted with amazement, kindness, and even disbelief.
Some wondered if the image was real. Wanting to clear the doubt, Djamel shared a video that showed the cub right beside him, proving the moment was genuine and full of simple joy.
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His journey behind the camera began when he was just fifteen. A family friend, who worked as a photographer, surprised him with his first camera. That gift opened a door that changed his life.
He started as a press photographer, spending decades documenting real events. But in the mid 2010s he felt a new pull toward wildlife, where he discovered a sense of peace and purpose.
Now he dreams of taking his work even farther, hoping to become a foreign correspondent so he can continue exploring nature while supporting his passion.
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For anyone who wants to see more of his world, Djamel shares his photography on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
His images show not only the beauty of wildlife in Algeria but also the deep connection he feels with every creature he meets, even the tiny lion who once sat beside him like an old friend.