Baby lion disappears after grooming by baboon in SA park

A baby lion has gone missing since a baboon was seen grooming it at the Kruger National Park in South Africa last week.

The picture of the rare scene was captured by a tourist during a visit.

In a statement to the BBC Kurt Schultz, the director of Kurt Safari, said the rainy season had made it harder to spot the animals:

Quote Message: It’s rainy season in Kruger and the vegetation is thick and the grass long. When the baboons move away from the road into the grass, it’s not easy to see them.”



It’s rainy season in Kruger and the vegetation is thick and the grass long. When the baboons move away from the road into the grass, it’s not easy to see them.”

The picture caused huge interest, with some saying it was a live reenaction of Rafiki and Simba, the characters from the Lion King animation film.

Mr Schultz said the cub, which was grabbed by the baboon, was probably in danger:

Quote Message: The male baboon moved from branch to branch, grooming and carrying the cub for a long time. The cub seemed exhausted and, although uninjured to the naked eye, there might have been internal damage. The male baboon moved from branch to branch, grooming and carrying the cub for a long time. The cub seemed exhausted and, although uninjured to the naked eye, there might have been internal damage.

Quote Message: I have witnessed baboons viciously killing Leopard cubs and have heard of Baboons killing lion cubs but have never seen the care and attention given to a lion cub in this manner." I have witnessed baboons viciously killing Leopard cubs and have heard of Baboons killing lion cubs but have never seen the care and attention given to a lion cub in this manner."

Mr Schultz added that he did not see a chance of the cub surviving.

BBC