Orphaned baboons on the road to rehabilitation

SIX-month-old baboons, Brooklyn and Harper, were orphaned by their mothers when they were just a few days old. Rescued by the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), the baboons have been successfully relocated to a primate dominant rehabilitation facility in Limpopo.

Tayla Hawkins, CROW primate officer said most baboons admitted into the centre have been orphaned and then kept as pets.

“In some situations this is done purposefully by the public in order to have a baboon as a pet. What people fail to realise at the time is that baboons, like most primates are extremely social and no matter how much interaction you provide, it will never be enough. Taking on a pet, let alone a wild baby baboon, is unlike caring for an infant child. The presumption that all baby animals should be raised on cow’s milk and wear diapers is both incorrect and unethical, however the dietary misinterpretation is not the only threat posed to wild pets. Other than the lawful implications one can be faced with for keeping a wild animal without a permit, these babies will soon grow to become unmanageable and aggressive as their natural behaviours have been stunted during the learning phase of their lives,” she said.

The consequences of taking a baboon as a pet can be dire as rehabilitation for release can take up to six years.

ALSO READ: Wildlife pet trade: A threat to conservation

“This is because we admit baboons into the centre sporadically and because most baboons are admitted into the centre at a very young age and we need to ensure that when they are released, the troop is well structured with sexually mature adults as well as sub-adults and youngsters,” said Hawkins.

While CROW will still be admitting baboons into the centre, they can only keep them for six months to a year.

“Then we will take them through to Limpopo, until such a time as we have procured a wild piece of land where we can erect a large semi-wild enclosure pre-release,” said Hawkins.

After working closely with baboon rescues, Brooklyn and Harper, Hawkins said they are some of the most charismatic animals she has worked with.

“They show such intense emotion, towards not only their troop members but other animals too. They’re able to mourn and show love and affection as well as protection and pure silliness. Something which members of the public possibly don’t know is that baboons love to laugh. As youngsters they find many things amusing. You can never mistake a baboons laugh, it is truly one of the most special sounds,” she said.

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