ALL ABOARD THE MONKEY EXPRESS

Clinging on to their furry backs, mischievous monkeys appeared to enjoy the free transport as they rode around on a perturbed Capybara. Holding on tight, these squirrel monkeys kept themselves entertained by climbing all over the giant rat- like creature, pulling at their ears and hair as they clambered on top of their back. But surprisingly, the bigger creature did not put up a fight, allowing them to lark around on their back, but with an obvious look of dismay. Like children wanting to join in the fun, the rest of the monkeys followed suit of the group leader and hopped onboard, taking advantage of the free ride. The cheeky monkey antics were captured by photographer Sandra Astra at Hilvarenbeek Safari Park in the Neverlands. Sandra said: 'I’d been watching the monkeys larking around on the grass when one monkey started to clamber all over a Capybara’s back. ‘A few minutes later four of them were on top, but the Capybara didn’t seem bothered by them and just carried on strolling around the grass. I’m surprised it didn’t try to shake them off. 'Both creatures live in the same enclosure and appeared to tolerate each other perfectly. It was like watching a child climb all over their parents. It was really funny to see the expressions on the Capybaras faces.'  Miss Astra explained that primates are generally scared of water so if the capybaras want to escape the monkeys, they can go to an area of the enclosure that is separated by a little stream of water where the monkeys do not dare to cross. She added: ' The capybaras don't mind the little monkey-rascals climbing all over them and riding on their backs. ‘I think they love each other's company, despite the capybara’s stern expression. They often lie down in the grass and let the monkeys' little hands go all over them without any complaint. It’s great to watch.’ ends

Other great stories
RARE BRONTE POEM FETCHES £92K AT AUCTION

A rare manuscript of one of Charlotte Bronte’s earliest poems went under the hammer today and fetched nearly £100,000 – double what it was expected to get .

MISCHIEVOUS FOX CUBS

A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .

RECORD BREAKING WATERMELON

AN American accountant has grown the world's biggest MELON and smashed his way into the record books with his mammoth 350 .

ADORABLE CHIMP SHOWS OFF GYMNASTIC SKILLS

WITHOUT a care in the world, this little chimpanzee shows off her gymnastic skills as she swings around her enclosure .

NINJA RED SQUIRREL

A NINJA red squirrel cuts a dashing figure as the little fella jumps up to ten-feet between treetops in the Yorkshire Dales .

ENDANGERED GORILLA BORN AT TWYCROSS ZOO

A proud gorilla mum welcomes her newborn baby western lowland gorilla, a critically endangered species .

EYE PAINTER

MEET the painter who makes his living squirting paint from his EYES .

CUTE MINI LION

MEET the little lion of suburbia with a mane that makes him look like a mini-king of the jungle .

BABY BEARS COPY FIGHTING ADULTS

SITTING quietly at the edge of the lake, these two baby bears watch and learn as the adults hunt for fish .

BRAVE DIVER FEEDS SHARKS DEADLY FISH

A diver attempts to control rising numbers of lionfish by feeding the venomous species to Caribbean reef sharks .

CROC VS BAMBI

A BAMBI was dramatically caught in mid-air by a greedy Nile crocodile in a once-in-a-million flying pincer move .

OWLS PLAY TUG-OF-WAR

TUGGING on the wing of his sibling, this needy owl is after some attention .