The Cape of Good Hope SPCA has announced that experienced wildlife veterinarians will be conducting field health assessments on baboons from the Slangkop, Waterfall, Da Gama Splinter and Seaforth troops in the Cape Peninsula over the next few weeks, reports Cape {town} Etc.
According to the animal welfare group, the assessments come in response to recurring hair loss seen in several troops since as far back as 2006, which nonprofit organisation Baboon Matters confirmed is not a common occurrence.
‘It is not common for baboons to lose their hair, and especially not in winter, yet there have now been four females (that we know about) in the southern troops who have all suffered extreme hair loss,’ Baboon Matters explained back in 2020.
‘We noticed that the females start losing hair when they are pregnant, which is unusual as normally, when pregnant, there would be an increase in body weight and glossy, full hair.’
At the time (2020), the SPCA had conducted a series of relevant tests and assessments on Katinka Grace, a female baboon from the Slangkop troop, after she had suffered dramatic hair loss that year. The tests, unfortunately, were unable to provide answers.
In light of the recurring state of inexplicable hair loss, and with the heart of winter quickly approaching, the SPCA put together a wider project, which aims to determine the cause of these conditions in an effort to ensure the welfare of the Cape’s baboon troops.
‘While the exact cause remains unknown, it may be linked to mange, ringworm, nutritional deficiencies or other health issues,’ the SPCA said in a statement.
‘With winter approaching, it’s critical we get to the bottom of this for the sake of the animals’ welfare.’
The organisation added that the project has been approved by the Joint Task Team (JTT), which is comprised of the City of Cape Town, CapeNature and SANParks.
‘Assessments will be carried out by experienced wildlife veterinarians, with support from the Cape Baboon Partnership (CBP) and under the welfare oversight of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA,’ the organisation explained.
The plan, according to the SPCA, is that all baboons will be assessed and returned to their troops on the same day.
‘If you see teams in the field working with baboons – please don’t be alarmed. This is part of a carefully coordinated effort to improve their welfare,’ concluded SPCA.
‘We kindly ask the public not to interfere with these operations.’
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Picture: Baboon Matters / Facebook
