Wily baboon holes up in Cape Town suburb

June 26 2006 at 11:49AM

By Dianne Hawker

A three-hour face-off between SPCA officials and a large male baboon ended in the animal's daring escape into Walmer Estate on Sunday.

The chase, which started on Wednesday, seemed as though it would culminate in the baboon's return to Table Mountain National Park on Sunday. But one tranquilliser dart, plenty of roof climbing, several bananas and three hours later, the baboon was still on the loose.

One resident later said: "I think we should call him Troubles."


Locals congregated in Premier Street, hoping to catch a glimpse of the baboon, which was first spotted earlier this week in Nova Constantia, Constantia, Wynberg and Claremont.

"It moved through Blue Route and Kenilworth and is now near University Estate. We are not sure if it's trying to get back to the mountain and is just disorientated. But the plan is to dart it and relocate it somewhere in Table Mountain National Park," said SPCA deputy manager Andries Venter.



The young sexually mature male is believed to have been forced out of its Tokai troop.

Since Wednesday, when it was first spotted, it has led its would-be captors on a wild chase through the suburbs.

Sunday brunches and lunches were abandoned when it was spotted in University Estate around 11am.


After searching for food in dustbins, it moved to the roof of Walmer Estate Secondary School, where the lengthy capture attempt began.

Walmer Estate councillor Cedric Thomas was among the first to spot the baboon early on Sunday morning.

"I've lived in the area for 30 years and I've never seen a baboon here before. The police didn't really believe us when we reported it this morning. It's a bit of a culture shock."

For nearly two hours, the baboon evaded a team of SPCA monitors, South African National Parks staff and City of Cape Town conservation officials. Perched atop the school roof, the baboon contemplated routes of escape but was kept within the contained area of the school as Venter tried to dart him.

In a scene reminiscent of a face-off at high noon, Venter and the baboon stared at each other across the rooftops.

Dart gun in hand, Venter waited for the perfect moment to shoot as he may not have had a second chance.

The baboon was given food in order to keep him in the school courtyard.

When the dart hit him, he quickly pulled it out and ensured he kept far from Venter afterwards.

"It's a very clever animal. It recognises danger very quickly and, once it is exposed to danger, it won't let it happen again," said Venter.

"Very little of the sedative took effect, we only got 1cc into him and this worked through him very quickly."

The police and City Police monitored the situation and a fire truck was later sent for, but turned back after the baboon jumped from the roof to nearby bushes.

After realising it would be trapped at the school, the baboon made a daring jump to a nearby tree, despite the presence of a parks ranger.

He then spent another 30 minutes on the roof of a nearby power station, eating the food he was given but not venturing too close to the edge.

Keeping true to his new name, he then jumped back into the bushes alongside the school and stayed hidden long enough to convince his would-be captors that he was gone.

In a stealthy move, the baboon then jumped over the fence, into the road and left SPCA and parks officials standing, mouths agape. The baboon disappeared into a nearby yard and is thought to be hiding somewhere in Walmer Estate.

"People mustn't approach it. If he comes for food, they must leave the food alone.

"He is tired and will be hungry soon, even though we fed him quite a bit (on Sunday)," said Venter.

He said anyone who spotted the baboon should contact the SPCA on their 083 326 1604 hotline.

dianneh@incape.co.za


This article was originally published on page 3 of Cape Argus on June 26, 2006

Are baboons on the endangered species list in Cape Town?

Why play patty-cake with him? Shoot the SOB and be done with it.

i hpoe not, perhaps i should take a little tour to Cape town and cull a little?

On the road down to the Cape of Good Hope, the region is protected. There are some mountain hikes in the vicinity of Franschoek where you are not allowed to take dogs, etc.. because of the baboons. They do seem to be accorded some protections in the region.

Dan

I just love the human-like descriptions contained in every one of the articles coming out of Africa regarding these animal bandits. It ALMOST makes you feel like you'd be comitting MURDER to kill the SOB's.

The monkey needs about 3000 fps of persuasion. Why don't they shoot it?