A juvenile baboon, spotted in Durban’s Umbilo area last weekend, has been caught.
According to the Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW), the young animal was spotted around the Wilson’s Wharf area but trackers lost sight of it.
IOL reported that the animal had been spotted at a warehouse and the owner managed to lock it inside with CROW volunteers setting up a baited trap to safely capture it.
However, the juvenile baboon managed to escape and teams tracked it across properties roads and railway lines.
CROW said working with the Durban and Coast SPCA and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, attempts to dart the baboon were unsuccessful.
“While one of our team members managed to net the baboon, she managed to break out of the net and escape.”
A trap was set to capture the young animal – and it worked!
CROW said the baboon was captured and taken back to its facility, where it will be kept until the second baboon spotted in the area, believed to be its mother, is caught.
“Baboons are not endemic to Durban and this little one will not find any of its own kind. We do hope and he or she is rescued and returned to be with other baboons,” explained Carol Booth of Monkey Helpline.
It is believed that the animals stowed away on a vessel from Cape Town and got off the vessel when it docked at the Durban harbour.
If anyone has sight of the animal, they are urged to call 082 411 5444 or 082 659 4711.
IOL
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