Bushbabies, also called galagos, are small nocturnal primates found across parts of Africa. Their large eyes help them see in low light, and their strong hind legs allow them to leap between branches with remarkable agility.
The memorable rescue of a baby bushbaby by its mother was filmed by Matthew Fleischack.
Baby bushbaby lies alone on ground
Baby animals are adorable to watch. They’re sweet and small, and can be awkward and clumsy in the best of ways. However, they are also vulnerable. This is especially true in the bushveld.
This baby bushbaby lay alone on the ground of the camp. It was tiny and helpless. If it hadn’t been for its mom, which had her eye on it, it might have well been in danger. Predators such as owls, snakes, genets, and larger mammals pose dangers to baby bushbabies in the wild.
Little bushbabies like this one are highly dependent on their mothers for warmth, grooming, and feeding. Without its mother in sight, the tiny creature was completely helpless.
Mother swoops in to retrieve baby
The baby bushbaby lay alone for a while, barely distinguishable against the greys and browns of the flooring.
However, its mother had kept a close watch on it and it was only a matter of time before she came swooping in to the rescue. In that moment she was Super Mom, appearing out of nowhere… without the hero’s cape, but with an agile, determined form and an impressive, swishing tail.
Mother bushbaby inspects her infant
She appeared to leap out of nowhere, running up to her baby to inspect the little one.
Mother inspects spectators with wide eyes
Then, looking around, she snatched up the small baby, holding it with her mouth. Her large eyes inspected the spectators. There was no way that she was going to let them get close to her infant!
Then up, up and away she went, using her powerful hind legs to propel herself and her baby, still in her care, to the safety of a nearby thatch structure. She was Super Mom and she had saved the day!
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The mother’s leaps were impressive, but what was even more impressive was her evident passion for her little one.
Just another day in the life of a bushbaby mother
Possibly Junior got a word or two about not straying too far from Mom again, but all’s well that ends well… Junior was back in Mom’s care. With that, the bushbaby mother could again settle down, having survived another busy day of motherhood.
For Matthew, it was possibly hard to forget the sheer distance and height the bushbaby mother had managed to leap. Her appearance was unassuming in that she was small and grey. However, she demonstrated miraculous leaping skills and appeared to be lighter than air as she performed skilled, precision movements.
Despite their small size, bushbabies are energetic animals with powerful jumps that can cover several metres. One day the baby bushbaby will leap with the same zeal and finesse as its mother. However, for this moment, it was safe in its Mom’s care.