The National Council of SPCAs’ (NSPCA) swift intervention has resulted in the rescue of 12 young Chacma Baboons from a University in the Free State. This action followed the discovery by the NSPCA that the baboons were wild-caught and destined for biomedical research for which there was no ethical approval.
The baboons were captured and removed from their natural environment in Limpopo and transported to the Free State research facility where they were kept in cages awaiting the research to commence.
Not only were these wild baboons traumatised by the capture process but they were also denied their freedom and subjected to captivity, which caused unnecessary stress and suffering. The NSPCA opposes the unnecessary confinement of wild animals.
Having secured the release of the baboons and arrangement for the necessary permits, the NSPCA transferred these displaced primates to a rehabilitation centre in Limpopo. The Centre for Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) assisted with care and the safe keeping of the baboons for a period of seven days, pending their release back into the area they had been captured from some four weeks earlier.
The day of their release from captivity arrived, and after final health checks were conducted by the NSPCA veterinarian and members of CARE team, the 12 baboons were successfully released back into their home territory. They have embraced their freedom.
“We are elated that we were able to intervene and give these primates the opportunity to return to the wild. The release process went smoothly and it was truly heart-warming to see them back in familiar territory, taking those initial steps towards their returned freedom,” said Erika Vercuiel, Manager of the NSPCA’s Animal Ethics Unit.
The NSPCA Animal Ethics Units’ intervention and the valued assistance of CARE has resulted in a second chance for these baboons.
