This footage was filmed at the West Street Bridge in South Africa’s Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. Unfortunately, we don’t know who filmed this amusing encounter.
Lions approaching
Setting the scene at the beginning of the video, we see the West Street Bridge, bathed in early morning light. To the right of the frame, two Chacma baboons are on sentry duty, looking for any threats to the troop.
Meanwhile, on the left of the frame, we see two lionesses from the Kambula Pride looking in the direction of the two baboons.
Safe under cover
As it happens, the baboons regularly spend the night safely tucked away on the girders under the bridge. Accordingly, the sentries sound the alarm, and the troop seeks refuge under the bridge, inadvertently trapping themselves..
Meanwhile, up above them, the pride of lions with cubs in tow cross the bridge. As they get closer, it becomes obvious that they can smell the baboons but can’t see them, creating some confusion.
Frustratingly close
One of the young males seems particularly frustrated by the baboon’s close proximity, leaning over the edge and snarling.
As you’d expect, this does nothing to calm the baboons, whose alarm calls continue to ring across the riverbed. The baboons know that as long as they stay put, they’ll be safe.
Hunger pangs
However, after a long night, they’d love nothing more than to go and forage. As time drags on, they get increasingly antsy.
Up above, the lions have settled down to rest. They can hear the baboons down below but seem resigned to the fact that they are out of reach.
Long wait ahead?
Bearing in mind that lions are known to sleep for up to twenty hours per day, the baboons could be in for a long wait.
Consequently, in the absence of much sound coming from above, it appears that some of the baboons begin to wonder whether the danger has passed.
As a result, one of the braver baboons decides to see for itself. In a hilarious moment, the young baboon pops up onto the parapet.
As it looks to its left, it sees that it is only metres from one of the lionesses! Barking in alarm, the shocked baboon quickly retreats before the lions realise what has happened.
Finally!
As the temperature rises, the lions decide that it’s time to look for some shade. One by one, they stand up and make their way back across the bridge.
Down below, the troop is quick to realise that the threat is moving on. Cautiously, they emerge from cover.
But, in typical lion fashion, the pride is in no rush. Having walked only a short distance, some of them flop down for another rest.
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Lagging behind
Eventually, the pride descends into the riverbed to rest in the shade of the bridge. But if the baboons thought the coast was clear, they were in for disappointment.
Lagging behind the pride, the pride’s males followed their scent onto the bridge. However, now it was their turn to be confused when they couldn’t find the females. While the male lions looked for their family, the baboons made haste in the opposite direction.
Whether or not they were reunited is a mystery, as when the video ends, the males are still on the bridge with the pride resting in the shade directly beneath them.
On the plus side, at least the baboons were able to escape, their patience and intelligence holding them in good stead through a tricky situation.