Photo of real-life 'Lion King' moment goes viral as baboon holds baby just like in the movie

A famous scene from the Disney classic “The Lion King” was captured by a photographer in real life. A monkey lifts its offspring much like Rafiki held up little Simba in the film.

Photographer Dafna Ben Nun was on a trip to Zimbabwe learning about natural wildlife when she spotted a familiar scene. An adult baboon was holding his baby high up in the air. The moment was a stark reflection of a familiar image from the 1994 Disney film where Rafiki showed off his cub, Simba to the rest of the animals.

CAPTURING A FASCINATING MOMENT

According to the 38-year-old photographer from Israel, she was caught in awe.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw an adult baboon holding a baby, looking exactly like Simba in the Lion King.

“It was just a split second, but it was fascinating to watch!"

Ben Nun added,

“They were all in the same group so no harm was done to any of the animals”

The animals are known to be native to South Africa, often found in Savannah and open hills in Africa.

ANOTHER CASE OF LIFE IMITATING ART

This isn’t the first time real life imitated art, particularly images from “The Lion King.” A few months back, wildlife photographer Marc Mol captured images of a lion and its cub gazing out into the sunset in central Serengeti of Tanzania. The images bore a striking resemblance to the iconic moment between the film’s Mufasa and his son, Simba. It was the scene where the famous lion father was teaching his son a life lesson.

Mol recounted first spotting the two lions, wishing they would imitate the image in the film he knew so well.

“I have always been a fan of “The Lion King” and after lots of waiting and hoping, the lions finally stood in the right spot, just where I wanted and just at the right time, and that seldom happens.”

The result was a rare masterpiece.