'LARNEY' BOBBEJAAN CAUGHT

THE bobbejaan that caused a stir in the Newlands area at the weekend has been gevang and returned to the bos in Tokai. 

Cape Baboon Partnership said the male baboon originating from the Constantia/Tokai region took a wander through deep urban areas adjacent to the mountains.

The young male apie began his two-day trek in larney Bishopscourt, before landing himself in Claremont on Friday, then Newlands and eventually Rondebosch on Saturday.

After a tense day of tracking and multiple evasions on the Friday, they were able to capture and release on Saturday.

They said that early on Saturday morning, their team, working alongside the Cape of Good Hope SPCA and a wildlife veterinarian, started tracking the apie from the spot where he had slept the night before.

Cape Baboon Partnership said: “The baboon was successfully darted, given a full health assessment, and safely released into his natural roaming territory. 

“This outcome gives him the best chance to continue his natural dispersal without facing the many dangers posed by urban environments.”

“Our team, assisted by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, attempted to capture him throughout the day [on Friday], but he repeatedly evaded capture. 

“On Saturday morning, our team, the SPCA and a wildlife veterinarian successfully darted the male just before he ran across the very busy M5 highway.

“While dispersal is normal for males of reproductive age and serves to prevent inbreeding with related troop members, this male unfortunately ended up, like many before him, in deep urban areas far from other baboon troops.

“Our urban landscapes are exceptionally dangerous for wild animals, where they are exposed to countless risks such as motor vehicle accidents, electrocutions, dog attacks and more.”