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These amazing pictures show the heartwarming moment a broody tiger decided a baby deer would make a better playmate than a meal.

The fierce predator can be seen jumping next to the surprised deer, patting it and even carrying it in her mouth like a cub - rather than devouring her natural prey.

The scene was captured on camera by photographer Souvik Kundu at the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra, India.

(Image: Caters)

The expectation amongst the crowd was that the vicious feline would swiftly kill the deer and devour it.

But instead the gentle animal tenderly played with the deer before leaving it unharmed and carrying on with her day.

Snapper Souvik said: "When she slowly emerged from cover we were astonished to find she was playing with a hapless spotted deer fawn.

(Image: Caters)

"The tigress seemed to be in a playful mood, jumping around in excitement."

After playing for about 15 minutes the tiger retreated, leaving the deer to rest in the grass.

Having snapped the events, Souvik, 35, from Mumbai, named the series 'The Benevolent Queen' due to the tiger's caring nature.

(Image: Caters)

He added: "I'm still not sure why the tigress did not prey on the little deer when the chance presented and acted so unnaturally.

"One probable explanation is the tigress was in search for a mate and her urge for motherhood temporarily overcame predatory instinct.

"As a result she had confused the fawn for her own offspring."