Baby baboon gets love and Care

Irene Mackenzie of the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (Care) started looking after the young baboon when she was found clinging to her mother’s lifeless body in Rustenburg. Her mother had been shot and Princess was in desperate need of care.

Mackenzie explained that Princess needs to be raised almost like a human baby because at her age she would be spending every hour of the day clinging to her mother.

Gien Elsas, who also works with Care explained that once Princess is psychologically ready, she will be transferred to the Care facility for the next stage of rehabilitation. The next stage is similar to a creche situation where baboons of different ages socialise and bond.

“Baboons go through the same stages that people go through,” Elsas said. “They cry and laugh, and they are the closest relatives that we have in South Africa.”Mackenzie echoed the sentiment that baboons and vervet monkeys, which are often considered vermin, needed to be protected in South Africa. “Baboons are South Africa’s own primate and we need to learn to love them, [because] at times it feels like you’re trying to save crocodiles,” she said.Only adult baboons can be released once they are able to survive in the wild.

Elsas explained that the biggest challenge facing Care is to find safe areas for the baboons to be released, as they face risks of being trapped and killed for the muti trade, or because many farmers consider them vermin.

Mackenzie is also appealing to the public for help with nappies, baby wipes and baby powder for Princess.

Details: 083 659 3727, info@primatecare.org.za