Baboons Hang on to Bridge for Dear Life to Avoid Lions

Every animal has its strengths and weaknesses. The lion is the king of beasts, the apex predator of Africa, but lions are heavy and don't have opposable thumbs. Other creatures do, in order to survive an encounter with lions. That was illustrated recently in the MalaMala Game Reserve in South Africa.  

The West Street Bridge was built for tourists to cross the Sand River during the wet season. But animals also use it. A troop of baboons were on the bridge sunbathing when a pride of lions decided to cross. The baboons didn't have enough time to get to the end of the bridge, so they did what they could to hide. It looks like a Looney Tunes cartoon, in which one character flattens himself against a wall to hide from another. Hiding under the bridge, the baboons knew they were safe, and so started taunting the lions! Not a good idea in general, but it worked for them here. The lions may have missed out on an easy meal, but they acted stoically about it, as cats will. Reserve guide Mike Botes caught the incident on his phone. (via Boing Boing)