A hungry cheetah eyes her prey.
This young impala doesn't stand a chance.
The cheetah is an expert hunter.
But baboons hold the power here
and they intend to foil the cheetahs plans.
Banish the predator.
Save the impala.
Is it an act of concern?
Or does this baboon have something else in mind?
The great Ruaha River dries up in summer.
This is one of the last waterholes where thirsty animals can gather.
It's the territory of two lionesses
and a troop of yellow baboons.
To stay here in safety, the baboons help the lions hunt.
If the lions get enough to eat, baboon will stay off the menu.
Today, outsiders are heading towards the waterhole.
A mother cheetah and her hungry adolescent cubs.
She has followed a herd of impala across the plains,
waiting for the right conditions to attack.
Desperate for food,
she's now daring to poach on lion territory.
The lions aren't here,
but the baboons are.
And they watch the cheetahs' forbidden hunting very closly.
It's all over in a few seconds.
The cheetah can now feed herself and her cubs.
But not if the baboons can help it.
Abandoning her kill means she and her cubs may starve,
but the prey here belongs to the lions.
And these baboons help lions hunt,
not cheetahs.
They're the guardians of the waterhole and quick to banish poachers.
But the baboons are caught off guard.
This young impala is still alive.
The baboon is perplexed by this unexpected turn of events.
Should it be wary of this strange creature?
Indecision turns to curiosity.
They've been known to attack and eat young impalas,
but this baboon loses interest.
And then the impala shocks him again.
The baboon can't believe its eyes
when the impala it had presumed dead suddenly stands up.
Do the baboons actually care about the injured animal
or could there be a form of deception arising?
Lull the impala into a false sense of security.
Save her for the lions.
Because as long as the lions are well fed,
there will be peace for the baboons.
Want to see more of these sneaky primates.
Check out our video about baboons
that trick other animals on the lions' dinner table.
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