A baby baboon was saved in an unexpected partnership between its father and – a lioness.
Travellers Evan Schiller and Lisa Holzwarth were recently on a game drive in the Selinda area in northern Botswana, when they came across an agitated troupe of baboons. “30 to 40 baboons were heading in our general direction making a lot of noise,” says Holzwarth, and it became clear that the presence of two large lionesses was the cause.
The lionesses were soon joined by two more, and when a female baboon – who had a month-old baby holding on to it – descended from a dead tree to try and escape, one of the lionesses grabbed it in its jaws.
Instinct caused the baby to disengage from its mother’s body, and race toward a tree but it didn’t have the strength to climb. The lioness moved to investigate.
Surprisingly, the lioness proceeded to gently play with the baby baboon, then picked it up gently in her mouth and settled with the baby between her paws.
The baby then proceeded to hold on to the lioness’s chest and try to suckle the lioness.
Two male lions arrived on the scene and advanced toward the lioness. She reacted aggressively – whether to reject their advances or protect the baby baboon is unknown.
The distraction opened a window where a big male baboon descended the tree, grabbed the baby, and attempted to climb back up with the baby, with much difficulty.
Eventually, the male reached a place of safety, and rested while cradling the baby in his arms.
"I was touched by how gently the father baboon held this little baby who was in tough shape after its ordeal," concludes Holzwarth.
