We often come across stories from the animal kingdom that simply leave us in awe.
The stories that always get to me the most are those in which animals display incredible compassion or kindness towards one another.
Here’s one from northern Botswana, Africa, that is just like that.
Wildlife photographers Evan Schiller and Lisa Holzwarth witnessed something mind-boggling while out on a game drive one day. Thankfully, they managed to capture the incident in incredible photos that have since been spreading like wildfire.
It all began when a lioness attacked a group of baboons, capturing and instantly killing one female baboon in the process.
But within seconds it became clear the female baboon wasn’t alone: her tiny baby was still clinging to her body.
The baby tried quickly to escape, attempting to run up a tree. But he was too small and weak to climb.
That’s when the lioness shifted her attention over to him.
The photographers witnessing the spectacular incident immediately feared the worst: the lioness would surely devour the little baboon in no time.
But instead, a miracle happened. The lioness gently and curiously approached the baby baboon – and within a few moments they began playfully interacting with one another.
The remarkably gentle lioness gradually picked him up in her mouth and carried him away. Some moments later, the two were cuddling.
The baby baboon seems to have immediately taken the lioness as its new mother, and the lioness’ own maternal instincts had obviously kicked in.
Some moments later, a male lion arrived on the scene. The lioness immediately got up and fended him off, as captured in the amazing photo below.
While all this was unfolding, the baboon’s father was sitting in a tree nearby, keeping a watchful eye over the developments.
He took opportunity of the lion’s distraction to make his move — he quickly rushed down the tree, scooped up his baby, and climbed back up the tree to safety.
How incredible! First rescued by a lioness, then by its brave father — this little baboon certainly had angels watching over him that day!
This event is simply extraordinary — from the lioness’ gentleness towards the baby baboon, to the brave father who comes down to heroically rescue him at the end. Share if you were just as moved by this lioness’ and father’s love!