An amazing real-life drama in the Animal World Evan Schiller and Lisa Holzwarth were on a game drive in northern Botswana they came across a big troop of baboons charging through the bush. 30-40 baboons were heading in our direction making a lot of noise, Lisa recalls, “The baboons were obviously frightened and they all scampered up trees, shouting and making a big scene. It quickly became clear what the problem was: two large lionesses came out of the tall grass and were soon joined by two more lionesses. Between the baboons shrieking and the lionesses communicating with deep guttural roars, it was a mad scene. Then the real chaos began! One brave baboon descended and tried to make a run for it but got snapped up in the jaws of a lioness. But there was something else there. As the female baboon lay dying in the jaws of the lioness, a little baby, less than a month old, slowly disengaged from its mothers body. The baby instinctively tried to make a go for a tree, but did not have the strength to climb. At this point the lioness noticed the little guy and went over to investigate. Instead of snapping the baby up in a deadly rage, she started to play with it. The lioness was inquisitive and gentle. After a while she picked up the baboon softly in her mouth and settled down with the baby between her paws. In a strange behavioural twist, the baboon clung on to the lioness and instinctively tried to suckle her. Just then another lioness and a male lion arrived on the scene. Their proximity was resented and met with aggression by the lioness. Probably, defending the baby baboon. Heres where it gets interesting: Waiting in a nearby tree was a big male baboon, obviously intent on saving the baby. The male lions were causing such a ruckus that it presented a short window of opportunity for the brave hero. He had to make his move. He quickly descended the tree, grabbed the baby and scampered back to safety. The heroic male baboon, having just saved the baby from the lions, cradled him in his arms. I was touched by how gently the father baboon held this little baby who was in tough shape after its ordeal, says Evan. ....
Posted on: Mon, 21 Apr 2014 14:02:44 +0000