{"id":50674,"date":"2023-02-28T09:16:07","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T07:16:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/utterly-tragic-baboons-suffer-endlessly-at-the-hands-of-humans-20230228\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:38:03","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:38:03","slug":"utterly-tragic-baboons-suffer-endlessly-at-the-hands-of-humans-20230228","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/utterly-tragic-baboons-suffer-endlessly-at-the-hands-of-humans-20230228\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Utterly tragic’: Baboons suffer endlessly at the hands of humans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The X-ray of a Simon\u2019s Town baboon injured in a fight last week revealed 15 pellets painfully lodged inside its body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Embedded under layers of skin and hidden from sight, the body of Van Damme, the baboon, had one pellet stuck in its ear canal and another in its chest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ | Constantia residents \u2018De Hel\u2019 in at decision to let baboon troop in greenbelt be<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A statement released by the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, stated that it had suffered \u201cpenetrating wounds\u201d all over its body, from buttocks, legs and chest to the ear canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Cape of Good Hope SPCA deeply regrets to announce the euthanasia of the adult male baboon WF8, better known to locals and his fans as \u2018Van Damme\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was humanely put to sleep on Tuesday 21 February, after a full vet assessment of severe bite wounds sustained from a fight with another baboon a few days prior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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An X-ray revealed 15 pellets lodged inside the body of a baboon. <\/div>\n
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The baboon, Van Damme, that was injured in a fight, also had 15 pellets lodged inside its body. PHOTO: cape of good hope spca<\/div>\n
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The altercation left Van Damme with injuries to his face, arms and chest, which saw him \u201ctragically blinded in one eye. \u201cX-rays taken revealed that in addition to these wounds, he had suffered up to 15 penetrating pellet gun wounds that had lodged in his abdomen, both legs, buttocks, chest and arms and with a large-calibre pellet lodged in his ear canal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe severity of the wounds would have required an extended healing process with repeat medical procedures, subjecting him to a painful and prolonged recovery period.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The statement added it would not have been fair or kind to keep the baboon medicated, isolated and separated from its troop for such a long recovery time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cImportantly, given the loss of vision in one eye, returning him to the troop would not be a viable or humane option as this would increase his vulnerability to welfare risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe always prioritise the welfare and long-term quality of life of the animals entrusted to our care. We do not consider an animal\u2019s prior habits to be a deciding factor in any decision that we take, nor do we allow external pressures to affect our decisions unless they are based on expert veterinary advice and the best welfare practices. We are deeply saddened by Van Damme\u2019s passing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ | Things are about to get wild: Task team releases proposed Baboon Strategic Management Plan for comment<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Jenni Trethowan, founder of the Baboon Matters Trust, said the SPCA report was \u201cutterly tragic\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe lad suffered 15 pellet and high-calibre wounds before the final injury to his eye. Despite all the warnings that \u2018it\u2019s only a matter of time until a baboon attacks someone\u2019 \u2013 this is the reality of the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trethowan adds that humans are the aggressors who endlessly and needlessly attack baboons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHumans attack baboons endlessly, needlessly \u2013 15 projectiles lodged in his body, including a high calibre pellet lodged in his ear canal. I cannot bear to imagine how that must have felt. It is truly devastating.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January, the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT), consisting of South African National Parks (SANParks), CapeNature and the City of Cape Town, released a draft plan proposing sustainable management of the Chacma Baboon population in the Cape Peninsula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents and stakeholders living in areas adjacent to baboons\u2019 natural habitat have the opportunity to study and comment on the Proposed Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP) released for public comment last month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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