On January 1, a rare and astonishing event unfolded in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. A baboon was spotted carrying a lion cub up a tree in an incident captured by Kurt Schultz, a tour operator with Kurt Safari. The male baboon climbed the tree with the lion cub in its arms, treating it like one of its own.
When observing a group of baboons with his crew, Schultz noticed the heightened excitement among the primates. When they looked closer, they realized a baboon was carrying a lion cub.
At first, they thought the cub was lifeless. But as the baboon crossed the road, ascended the tree, and began grooming the cub, it became clear that the young lion was still alive.
While it’s known that baboons sometimes take lion cubs when the mother is hunting, this behavior is far from ordinary.
Unusual Behavior from Baboons
Baboons, members of the Old World Monkeys family, are known for their large size and territorial aggression. According to IFLScience, it’s rare for baboons to target the offspring of larger animals like big cats.
However, they can be violent, especially when defending their territory or when they are young. Seeing a baboon show care for a lion cub, though, was highly unusual.
“The cub screamed when the baboon hugged the tree,” Schultz recalled. “In my 20 years as a guide in southeastern Africa, and all my time here in Kruger, I’ve seen baboons attack and kill leopard cubs, but I’ve never seen one take care of a cub like this,” he shared in an email to IFLScience.
Baboons, like other primates, groom each other as a social activity, but Schultz observed that the baboon was treating the cub as a mother might care for her own.
A Slim Chance of Survival
Despite the care the baboon appeared to be showing, the lion cub’s condition was concerning. Schultz explained that the cub seemed exhausted and likely had suffered internal trauma, possibly from the initial struggle when the baboons competed for the cub. “The lion may have been hurt as the baboons got excited and fought over it,” he said.
The exact age of the cub was unknown, but it’s common for lions and leopards to leave their cubs hidden in areas like hills or rock crevices while hunting.
Cubs left in these hiding spots are vulnerable to hunger, thirst, and injury if separated from their mothers. Unfortunately, the lion cub had little chance of survival after being taken by the baboon.
Baboons, which have sharp fangs even longer than lions, can fend off predators like leopards, making them formidable opponents.
Reality vs. Fiction
While this event might evoke memories of famous movie scenes, the reality of life in the wild is far more brutal.
Although animals from different species can sometimes form bonds in captivity, such interactions are rare in the wild. Sadly, Schultz acknowledged that the lion cub probably wouldn’t survive much longer.
“Nature has its course, and we can’t intervene. Our responsibility is to maintain Kruger’s natural balance,” Schultz reflected.
This rare encounter offers a glimpse into wildlife’s unpredictable and often harsh realities.
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