A Hungry Python Strikes the Serengeti: The Tragic Fate of a Baboon Mother
Tuesday, 20 October 2026
A troop of baboons in the Serengeti. When they are not warring among themselves,
they have to look for other dangers. Food
is abundant but for some there is no relaxing.
One of the baboons senses danger when alerted by the cries of the local
birds – a large hungry python is in the area and it is looking for a meal. Unfortunately, for one of the troupe, it is
too late. This remarkable footage was
created by John Downer Productions.
Unfortunately, not everything is picture-book cuddly and this is just
one such example of how nature often seems cruel – the victim here is a young
mother. The male leader of the troup
takes the baby as his own, but as the narrator asks – how is he going to raise
this baby on his own?
In this video, the male is called Bakari and it is the baby’s
mother, Subira, who gets eaten by the python.
Although this is incredibly rare, the story does have something of a
happy ending. Bakari’s adoption of the
baby is truly remarkable and he does become the baby’s caregiver. However, he
doesn't do it entirely alone. An experienced female in the troop helps him care
for the baby, and together they give the youngster a better chance of
surviving.
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