Watch: University of Pretoria vets rescue baboon from court construction site

Veterinarians from the Wildlife Clinic of the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital and veterinary students rescued a stray baboon at the new Soshanguve Magistrate’s Court construction site on Thursday.

The clinic responded to an urgent phone call from the Soshanguve police about a male baboon at the construction site, which was creating a stir.

Professor Katja Koeppel, a specialist wildlife veterinarian, and final-year veterinary students, Ashleigh Pienaar, Gina João and Andrew Robson, responded to the police’s call for assistance.

Koeppel says when they arrived, they found the baboon locked in one of the partially completed rooms, hiding on a ventilation duct.

It was darted as it ran onto the roof, and fell asleep, she adds.

The construction team and the building’s security staff helped to get him off the roof.

The baboon was carefully carried over the roof and downstairs, before being taken to the Wildlife Clinic where he regained consciousness.

The construction team was caring and concerned about the welfare of the baboon and it was great to work with them, says Koeppel.

On Friday, the healthy baboon was released into the custody of the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital which had the necessary permits to transport and release him.

He has since been released into a nature reserve in Mpumalanga.

• This article has been amended since it was first published.