Ballot the Baboon was safely caught over the weekend and relocated to a safer area; the young male baboon was on his first trek after being booted from his troop – he is on the journey of a lifetime, in search of a perfect place.
Brakpan, South Africa (03 June 2024) – Every year, one or two lone male baboons find themselves navigating the grey and daunting suburban and urban spaces as they go off in search of their own territory. Recently, a Baboon was spotted in the Brakpan and animal welfare organisations worked tirelessly to capture him and safely relocate him.
The baboon will have come from a local troop. Once male baboons reach maturity, they are pushed out of their troop and have to find or create a new one. This is done to prevent inbreeding within the troop.
We have reported in 2019, 2021 and 2023 of roaming baboons in Northern Johannesburg and CLAW (Community Led Animal Welfare) has always stepped in to aid the creatures. This time around, it was Brakpan, Benoni and the Eastern Johannesburg communities that were on baboon watch, helping the local animal welfare organisations track the baboon.
After keeping an eye on the baboon, who was affectionately named Ballot, various teams jumped into action when the opportunity to capture Ballot finally presented itself. The aim was to get him to a safer area where he could carry out his life without having to encounter humans, busy roads and suburban animals that could be a danger to Ballot.
The Craig View Veterinary Hospital team, headed by Dr Bull, along with Brakpan SPCA inspector and manager Tamaryn and her team, followed tracking information and the Owl Rescue Centre’s Brendon Murray and wildlife vet Dr Robert Campbell all played a pivotal role in getting Ballot safely sedated and moved to safety.
According to Owl Rescue Centre founder Brendan Murray, he followed leads into Thembisa, where he was finally able to capture Ballot quickly and get him to the vet, Dr Robert Campbell. Brakpan SPCA paid Brendan, Dr Campbell, and Ballot a visit before his release to confirm that he was in good health.
Brendon shared that Ballot was later released in the remote mountains.
“We released him this morning up in remote mountains near a healthy population of other baboons and most importantly far away from people” – Owl Rescue Centre
The Brakpan SPCA shared the happy news about Ballot, saying:
“We are currently with Dr Robert Campbell who along with Brendan from Owl Rescue were able to get Ballot safely out of Thembisa.
Ballot is undergoing a health check and will be then transported to the appropriate rehabilitation centre. Currently Ballot is seemingly healthy from external examinations and Dr is awaiting results from bloods and fecal tests.
We cannot thank each and every single individual that has helped us to ensure Ballot’s ultimate capture and his release in due course in a safe place.
Again we thank Craig View Veterinary Clinic, Dr Bull, Dr Ross, Fanyana, our very own Manager Tamaryn and Inspector Mariska for not giving up and seeing it through, the community members who help track Ballot’s whereabouts and all the people who do not want to even be named. To our sister societies who all got involved, Benoni SPCA Benoni, Gauteng, South Africa, Kempton Park SPCA and then to Brendan from Owl Rescue for risking it alot today and Dr Campbell and his amazing staff for being so professional and allowing us to finalise this ordeal.” – Brakpan SPCA
The Craig View team had raised R2,500 for the capture of Ballot. They have shared that the money will be donated directly to the Brakpan SPCA to go towards the costs of tracking Ballot for the week.
“We raised R2,500 and will be paying this over to Brakpan SPCA we know they have used so much fuel and data and worked so hard for over a week to try save Ballot from harms way.
We wish we could have raised more for your amazing society in an area that needs so much support.
To Ballot – stay safe, stay away from humans and thank you for the lessons.” – Craig View Veterinary Hospital
Sources: Craig View Vet / Brakpan SPCA / Owl Rescue Centre
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 