Update: 21 June 2025
After a tense 24 hours marked by careful tracking and several near misses, there’s finally good news regarding the young male baboon spotted moving through Claremont and nearby suburbs yesterday. A collective sigh of relief came early this morning.
According to Cape of Good Hope SPCA, the dedicated response team, collaborating closely with the Cape Baboon Partnership and a skilled wildlife veterinarian, returned to the location where the baboon had settled to sleep overnight. Demonstrating patience and expertise, they successfully darted the animal. A thorough on-site health assessment confirmed he was unharmed by his urban adventure.
Following a safe capture and thorough health check, the baboon has now been successfully released into the Tokai area, which is a natural, troop-rich environment where he stands the best chance of integrating with other baboons and continuing his dispersal journey.
Furthermore, the SPCA, along with the Cape Baboon Partnership, stayed with him from first sighting to final release.
Residents of Wynberg and surrounding suburbs have been advised to exercise caution after a young male baboon was spotted making his way through the area on Friday.
The animal, whose journey has taken him through Kenilworth, Claremont, and Rondebosch, is currently resting in a tree at Mayfield Park.
The nimble intruder has garnered attention and concern as he traverses through urban settings, prompting local authorities and wildlife officials to respond.
According to reports from Baboon Matters, a dedicated rescue team is monitoring the situation closely. They have determined that darting the baboon is not a viable option, as the risk of injury from falling is deemed too great.
In a bid to ensure the baboon safely navigates back home, the rescue team has allowed him to stay in Mayfield Park overnight, planning to reassess the situation in the morning.
The organisation has warned residents to refrain from visiting the park with dogs, as the presence of canines may agitate the already stressed animal.
It is also adviced that the importance of keeping dogs away from Mayfield Park.
Their advice to the community extends beyond the park, encouraging residents to report any further sightings of the baboon so that appropriate action can be taken.
Those who encounter the baboon outside of Mayfield Park are urged to contact the Baboon Hotline at 071 588 6540 for assistance.
Residents are urged to be cautious following reports of a young male baboon making his way through Wynberg toward Newlands on Friday.
According to the Baboon Matters on Facebook, members of the public should not attempt to feed, approach, or interfere with the animal in any way. The baboon is described as young and in good condition.
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Officials are monitoring the situation and have requested that all sightings be reported immediately to the Baboon Hotline at 071 588 6540.
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Picture: Baboon Matters / Facebook
