Migrating baboon named ‘Ballot’ spotted in Norkem Park

Residents are advised that a young adult male baboon is travelling through areas in Kempton Park.

He was last spotted in Norkem Park.

He is likely on his was to a nearby nature reserve and residents are asked to allow him safe passage on his way.

Dr Cliff and Dr Ross from Craig View Veterinary Clinic are on the ground at various locations and sightings in Kempton Park to confirm that the Baboon was coping both mentally and physically as he migrates in the East Rand areas and through the suburbs.

“Our wildlife team is still under the opinion that he must be left to pass, to not disturb or approach him and do not feed him or try and trap him.

“He is managing the journey well, is making great progress on his trip and covering ground.  He has not harmed or hurt any animals and has left people alone,” the clinic said in a statement.

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The team confirmed that the baboon named Ballot originally from Brakpan is of no threat to the community.

“It is currently not safe to dart him and not viable to trap him.

“We can only encourage the community to let him be and let him pass.”

Staff from the clinic as we as the SPCA are available should the situation change.

Residents are asked to also refrain from phoning the practice with locations unless the Baboon is a yard and he is not moving on.

Ballot began his journey in Brakpan on Friday before moving through Benoni and now Kempton Park.

He spent the night resting between the suburbs of Pomona and Glen Marais.

It is believed that Ballot has travelled around 40km on his journey.

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“There is no reason for panic or hysteria and we need to respect our wild animals who we are privileged to share our home with.”

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 not the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:

• The darting process is not simple – even with an experienced Veterinarian there could be a miss or the dart could fail or there could be no needle penetration. Rendering the dart useless. The dart in itself could cause injuries of no penetration takes place.

• The Baboon could be injured, falling off of a roof, or wall could lead to the baboon sustaining serious injuries such as fractures.
• The Baboon could run into traffic or an oncoming vehicle once sedated – the sedation doesn’t happen immediately.
• The Baboon could fall into a neighboring property in between tool sheds or passage ways which are inaccessible.
• The Baboon could flee into someone’s garden one darted and if sedated dogs could injure or kill the baboon and he would not be able to defend himself.