Male lion ‘flees’ babysitting duties in a video from the wild; social media calls it "most relatable wildlife video"

The heart of the wild is just the right place to observe animal behaviour, and often it presents us with surprises that mirror our own human quirks, giving little moments of laughter and lightheartedness.

This time, a viral video shows that Lions also show some unexpected similarity to humans in some cases! Amid the majestic and serious tones of nature, there are glimpses of unexpected humour that remind us of the common threads in the animal kingdom, especially in parenting roles.These moments can change our view of wildlife from distant admiration to a warm connection, showing that even the king of the jungle has his off days.

A video that previously went viral perfectly shows this moment.

Lion dodges babysitting duties in MalaMala!

A wildlife photographer, Jacques Briam, shared a clip from South Africa’s MalaMala Game Reserve that has since delighted viewers worldwide. The video shows a male lion calmly surveying his surroundings when a lioness appears, along with her playful cubs. The moment the male notices them, he abruptly rises and walks away, almost as if trying to dodge a babysitting duty many would find relatable.

The lioness, unfazed by his sudden departure, continues on with her cubs in tow, leaving viewers amused at what seemed like his reluctance to share parenting responsibilities.

Wildlife photographer posts the video on social media

Briam posted the video on Instagram with a witty caption, “When you hear ‘your turn to babysit’... and suddenly remember a very urgent errand.” This clever line correctly represents the humorous escape by the lion. The video amassed over 181,000 views and sparked a wave of laughter and relatable opinions across social media.

Social media users weigh in!

Social media users responded with playful remarks that highlighted the universal nature of the scene. One commenter humorously said, “So all men are the same regardless of the species,” while another quipped, “That lion just remembered he had to ‘check on the herd’ somewhere very far away.”Other viewers called the video “the most relatable wildlife video I have seen all year,” and some admired the lioness’s unbothered composure, saying, “The female looks like she knew exactly what he was doing but did not care” and “That lioness is a queen handling it all by herself.”Some comments also pointed out the male lion’s body language as indicative of guilt or avoidance, with one user saying, “That walk away was the definition of guilt,” and another noting his move as a “classic ‘if I pretend not to see them, they are not my problem’ move”.

The video likely explains lion behaviour

While the video is undeniably humorous, it also reflects real lion behaviour. In the wild, lionesses are primarily responsible for caring for the cubs, while male lions focus more on protecting their territory. Males typically avoid involvement in cub-rearing unless necessary. This dynamic enhances the relatability of the video, as it parallels parenting roles seen across species, and adds to the charm of this wildlife snapshot.Jacques Briam’s video gives a happy moment of fun and connection to the animal kingdom, showing that even among lions.