Last Ape Standing Dispatch #6: Close Encounters of the Baboon Kind

This post was originally published on November 15, 2019 on a previous version of ChipWalter.com.

When I was in Potberg South Africa last week, I was wandering around the grounds taking a few pictures. Chris Henshilwood (see other dispatches) had pointed out that troops of baboons often wandered the grounds too. That’s how I happened to catch this series of pictures, and an intimate moment, between two baboons, well three. If you don’t want your kids to see some primates making the beast with two backs, shield their eyes.

This is the first of a series. In panel #1 a female baboon walks toward the bush. If you look closely enough you may notice that she’s ready for a “date.”

This is the alpha male of the troop, I’m pretty sure. He couldn’t help but notice that the female that just walked by. He follows…

The “date.” It was over in less than 30 seconds. They didn’t even have a cigarette!

I told you this wasn’t for the kids, but curiosity has primal roots!