Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin (ISSN 0178 – 6288) . Number 125, May 2015, pp. 19-37. | Page 9

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Reproduction and Parenting
Like other baboons, the hamadryas baboon breeds aseasonally. The dominant
male of a one-male unit does most of the mating, though other males may
occasionally sneak in copulations, as well. Females do most of the parenting.
They nurse and groom the infant and one female in a unit may groom an infant
that is not hers. Like all baboons, hamadryas baboons are intrigued by their
infants and give much attention to them. Dominant male baboons prevent other
males from coming into close contact with their infants. They also protect the
young from predators. The dominant male tolerates the young and will carry
and play with them. When a new male takes over a female, she develops sexual
swellings which may be an adaptation that functions to prevent the new male
from killing the offspring of the previous male. When males reach puberty, they
show interest in mothering young infants. They will kidnap the infants by luring
them away from their harems and inviting them to ride on their backs. This is
more often done by "follower" males. This kidnapping can lead to dehydration or
starvation for the infant. The harem leader would retrieve the infants from their
kidnappers, which is mostly an act to protect their offspring (Wikipedia).

Arabian Baboons (Papio hamadryas makkah, Khalaf 2015) on Jabal Al-Noor in Makkah AlMukarramah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo by: Prof. Dr. Sc. Norman Ali Bassam
Khalaf-von Jaffa. 08.04.2012.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/50022881@N00/12064612585/

Gazelle : The Palestinian Biological Bulletin – Number 125 – May 2015