The Cape of Good Hope SPCA said that after a tense day of tracking and multiple evasions, they were able to capture and release a young male baboon first spotted in Claremont and the surrounding areas on Friday.

They said that early on Saturday, their team, working alongside the Cape Baboon Partnership and a wildlife veterinarian, returned to the area where the baboon had slept on Friday night.

“The baboon was successfully darted, given a full health assessment, and is en route to be safely released into his natural roaming territory. This outcome gives him the best chance to continue his natural dispersal without facing the many dangers posed by urban environments.”

Cape Baboon Partnership said the male baboon originating from the Constantia/Tokai region took a wander through deep urban areas adjacent to the mountains.

He began his trek in Bishopscourt, quickly landing himself in Claremont, then Newlands and eventually Rondebosch.

“Our team, assisted by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, attempted to capture him throughout the day, but he repeatedly evaded capture. On Saturday morning, our team, the SPCA and a wildlife veterinarian successfully darted the male just before he ran across the very busy M5 highway,” they said.

“While dispersal is normal for males of reproductive age and serves to prevent inbreeding with related troop members, this male unfortunately ended up, like many before him, in deep urban areas far from other baboon troops.

“Our urban landscapes are exceptionally dangerous for wild animals, where they are exposed to countless risks such as motor vehicle accidents, electrocutions, dog attacks and more.

“Fortunately, we were able to catch this male in time. He has been safely returned to a natural space in the Tokai area where we hope he will settle in with an unrelated baboon troop in the region,” Cape Baboon Partnership said.

The SPCA said that they have conducted a full health check before releasing the baboon in Tokai.

“Tokai offers space, cover, and the presence of multiple baboon troops — giving him real options and a real shot at a life in the wild, where he belongs.

“Our team, along with the Cape Baboon Partnership, stayed with him from first sighting to final release. Because when an animal needs help, we don’t just respond — we stay, until we know they’re ok,” they said.

Additionally, field health assessments are being conducted on baboons from the Slangkop, Waterfall, Da Gama Splinter, and Seaforth troops in the Cape Peninsula.

The SPCA said that these assessments are in response to recurring hair loss seen in several troops since as far back as 2006. While the exact cause remains unknown, it may be linked to mange, ringworm, nutritional deficiencies, or other health issues.

“With winter approaching, it’s critical we get to the bottom of this for the sake of the animals’ welfare.”

The project has been approved by the Joint Task Team (JTT), consisting of the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, and SANParks. Assessments will be carried out by experienced wildlife veterinarians.

“Our aim is that all baboons will be assessed and returned to their troops on the same day.If you see teams in the field working with baboons – please don’t be alarmed. This is part of a carefully coordinated effort to improve their welfare. We kindly ask the public not to interfere with these operations.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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