It’s not an uncommon occurrence when the Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors are called for assistance in dealing with ‘stow-away species’ that have been discovered hiding inside various parts of a vehicle.
More often than not, inspections of this nature uncover dassies, snakes, mice, mongooses, cats and dogs hiding or stuck inside engine bays, wheel wells and boot spaces of cars, trains and trucks.
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But on Friday afternoon, an SPCA cadet inspector was tasked with removing a baby baboon from behind the radiator of a red Hyundai, after it had ‘hitched’ an estimated 46-kilometre ride with an unknowing motorist.
According to the SPCA, the young chacma baboon was discovered after the motorist returned home after working a long shift at a plantation in Stellenbosch. His children, who were playing outside, ‘began calling him to come outside because something was moving inside his car’s engine’.
SPCA cadet inspector Clodeen Arnolds was making her way home a few streets away when a quick-thinking neighbour caught her attention and relayed the situation.
‘Carefully prying the stuck baby out from beneath the bumper of the vehicle with the help of a few willing bystanders, Miss Arnolds wrapped the baby baboon in a blanket and drove it to a quiet space while awaiting Wildlife Officer Joshua Campbell’s arrival,’ the animal organisation reported.
The young baboon, named Curious George by the department, was taken to the SPCA Wildlife unit where it was assessed by a veterinarian, given fluids and food and given the green light to be returned to his home.
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‘At first light on Sunday morning, Curious George was packed up and driven home to Jonkershoek outside Stellenbosch, where we believe he came from,’ said the SPCA. ‘Wildlife Department supervisor Jon Friedman, enlisting the help of the local neighbourhood watch, eventually located the troop on the road to Jonkershoek.’
The SPCA added that Curious George then returned to his troop, in much the same way as a happy ending in a movie.
‘As if they were awaiting the return of their most curious junior member, there were squeals of delight and disbelief as George sauntered out of his transport box and scampered across the road to join some of his age-group pals,’ the organisation said. ‘A few hugs and a playful tussle later, they scampered off into the thick forest on the side of the road.’
Happy ending aside, the SPCA added that, in this case, ‘Curious George was extremely lucky to have endured his ordeal unscathed’.
Motorists are advised to always check their vehicles and to gently tap or knock it before beginning their journeys to prevent animal stow-aways and potentially life-threatening situations.
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Picture: Cape of Good Hope SPCA