Monkey business in Fourways

MR BABOON: PRIMATE LEADS RESCUERS A MERRY CHASE INTO LONEHILL KOPPIES

Public asked to call in authorities if they spot it.

Amale baboon in Fourways has evaded capture for three days, despite rescue organisations’ efforts. First seen on Monday, “Mr Baboon” has piqued the interest of the Owl Rescue Centre (ORC), Community Led Animal Welfare, and nonprofit Wild Serve, which have made attempts to dart and sedate him to no avail, reported Fourways Review.

Suspected to have come from the Hartbeespoort area, ORC said, the baboon was “running rogue” on the roof of the Broadacres Shopping Centre. The windy weather complicated attempts to dart him.

Rescuers climbed on the roof, prompting Mr Baboon to dart into the old Nedbank building, which is currently being renovated.

“There were three doorways. All three were open, without doors,” ORC said in a social media post. “We simply had to block the doorways and the baboon would be trapped inside.

“About the same time [veterinary surgeon] Dr Rob Campbell suggested instead of darting the baboon, we give him an orange with a strong sedative inside. Sounded like a good plan.”

Wild Serve general manager Dirk Engelbrecht “climbed up onto the roof and helped to block the doorways off with some old window frames. We then propped scaffolding against the windows, so the baboon was 100% trapped. After that we went into the bank to locate him”.

Mr Baboon outwitted rescuers by running towards an exit, pulling down the scaffolding and escaping.

ORC co-founder and communications manager Danelle Murray told The Citizen he evaded traps had been placed to capture him safely. On Tuesday he was followed to Lonehill Koppies where he spent the night, she added.

Fairfields Estate manager Charlene Mathe told Fourways Review this was not the first time primates had roamed the complex, “but this time the baboon is going into gardens and houses”.

Engelbrecht said the public should not attempt to capture Mr Baboon because “we’ve got a method we use ... and it works”.

If you spot Mr Baboon, contact the Owl Rescue Centre on 082-719-5463. Provide as much information of the sighting as you can.