The first 6 shots are of 'King James'
The Hamadryas Baboons: over 100 animals inhabiting one enclosure.
It’s a strongly hierarchal society, with the dominant Alpha Males, aggressively fighting for their Harems of females with ferocious displays of fearsome canines and manes wilder and broader than a Lion’s.
However, amongst the chaos and the fights, one lone male stood apart for me.
They called him, at one time, “King James”.
But now, he was the oldest by far and age had taken its toll: robbing him of his impressive mane, his fearsome snarl and the power and strength to have a harem - and thus a family.
He was now alone.
Once the King, now the outcast.
At first, and at best, ‘King James” could look regal and aloof.
At worst, one could see the increasing loneliness and anxiety affecting not only the body but also the mind.
“And as with age his body uglier grows, so his mind cankers." Shakespeare.
The Madness of King James
