The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife department rescued a baboon injured with a wire trap stuck around its neck on Saturday 19 February.
Minette Pieterse, a NCC Environmental Services Field Manager, detected the snare and notified the SPCA.
In a statement, the SPCA said the snare had to be surgically removed from the baboon’s neck.
“NCC Environmental Services called the Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife department to assist in rescuing a young female baboon from the MT2 (Mountain Troop 2) earlier this morning.
“Inspector Elani Graham and Wildlife officer Jon Friedman arrived on the scene with a cage trap and wire cutting equipment. On their arrival, it became evident a cage trap approach would not suffice to capture the low-ranking female for treatment.”
Wildlife veterinarian Dr Greg Simpson was called in to dart the juvenile baboon safely.
“Once the baboon was asleep, the team found that the thick wire snare had already cut deep into the baboon’s neck. Dr Simpson had to surgically remove the wire, only millimetres away from the jugular vein, right there in the field. The wire was removed and the wound cleaned. A long acting antibiotic was administered as a precaution to mitigate possible infection.
“The baboon was allowed to wake up fully while being monitored and was successfully released back with the troop.”
Last year, four baboons were rescued from snares across the Cape Peninsula.
“Lately, snares have become all too common and continue to ensnare our wildlife indiscriminately.”
