A tour operator in South Africa who captured a rare sight of a baboon grooming a lion cub at the Kruger National Park has said there has been no sighting of the animals since he took the picture last week.

In a statement to the BBC Kurt Schultz, the director of Kurt Safari, said the rainy season had made it harder to spot the animals:

“It’s rainy season in Kruger and the vegetation is thick and the grass long. When the baboons move away from the road into the grass, it’s not easy to see them.”

The picture caused huge interest, with some saying it was a live reenaction of Rafiki and Simba, the characters from the Lion King animation film.

Mr Schultz said the cub, which was grabbed by the baboon, was probably in danger:

Quote Message: The male baboon moved from branch to branch, grooming and carrying the cub for a long time. The cub seemed exhausted and, although uninjured to the naked eye, there might have been internal damage.

The male baboon moved from branch to branch, grooming and carrying the cub for a long time. The cub seemed exhausted and, although uninjured to the naked eye, there might have been internal damage.

“I have witnessed baboons viciously killing Leopard cubs and have heard of Baboons killing lion cubs but have never seen the care and attention given to a lion cub in this manner.”

Mr Schultz added that he did not see a chance of the cub surviving. (BBC)