Beautiful photos show mother baboon playing with her baby

Mother baboon plays with baby at Kruger National Park

It's a scene we've witnessed before - doting parents pretending their young child is an aeroplane for the delight of their baby.

But astonished tourists watched as a loving baboon played the popular human game with her baby.

The touching moment was spotted in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, by Mariana de Klerk.

The 54-year-old teacher, who lives on the outskirts of the reserve, came across the loving mother and child living with a troop of 20 in March 2013.

baboon plays with baby at Kruger National Park

There were many other young baboons with their mothers in the group and the primates all appeared to be in a playful mood. Source: Barcroft

Mariana watched as the mother held the excited newborn above her head.

She said: "The mother and baby started playing. First she went down onto the ground to his level and the next moment and she lifted the baby up into the air just like we humans do.

"She did this two or three times. I was amazed by their interaction because it was so humanlike.

"I have spent many hours watching baboons interact and never seen this before.

"While taking the pictures I just knew I was capturing something very special and unique."