Animals, even predators, seem to be capable of compassion, particularly if they are well fed and it doesn't cost them anything. It may be that her cries reminded them off a cub, but I'm quite certain they didn't think she was a cub, and male lions (which the description implies these were) are known to kill cubs anyway.
I suspect they weren't hungry and they understood she was in distress, and somewhere in their dark, predatory hearts, they were moved to help. That may be anthropomorphizing, but these things happen often enough, that I think that is what is going on. I'm quite certain a lion can tell the difference between a cub and a little girl . . . and I'm beginning to suspect that intelligent animals can draw the comparison to . . . like a frightened cub, this creature needs help, and since I'm not going to eat it, I will protect it.
