Cape of Good Hope SPCA Inspectors are used to being called out to assist motorists with all kinds of stow-away species that get discovered hiding inside vehicle engine bays, wheel wells and boot spaces of cars, trains, and trucks. Dassies, snakes, mice, mongoose, cats, dogs, even a tortoise and an owl on one occasion, but never have they had to remove a baby baboon from beneath a bonnet!
Baby baboon hitches a ride in a Hyundai with unknowing motorist!
When a motorist who wishes to remain anonymous got home from work on Friday afternoon after a long shift at a plantation in Stellenbosch, he had barely put his feet up when he heard the excited screams of the kids playing outside. He thought nothing of it until they started calling his name and begging him to come outside because something was moving inside his car’s engine! Thinking that this was nothing more than a kids’ prank, He was beyond surprised to see a patch of brown fur sticking out of the front grille of his red Hyundai. Carefully opening the bonnet, he expected to find a stray cat, maybe a dassie or even a dog, anything but the face of a very scared, young chacma baboon staring up at him from behind the radiator.
A few streets away, SPCA cadet inspector Clodeen Arnolds was making her way home after work when a quick-thinking neighbour flagged the soon-to-be inspector down and excitedly told her the story of the monkey in the motor. She also did not believe the story at first, but once on the scene, she quickly realised what she had to do. Carefully prying the stuck baby out from beneath the bumper of the vehicle with the help of a few willing bystanders, Miss Arnolds wrapped the baby baboon in a blanket and drove it to a quiet space while awaiting Wildlife Officer Joshua Campbell’s arrival.
Back at the SPCA Wildlife unit, the juvenile baboon was assessed by a veterinarian, given some fluids and a good meal and tucked into a warm bed for the night to recover from his ordeal. The next day, the baboon (named Curious George by wildlife department staff) was checked over again and given the all-clear to go back to the wild where he came from. After some phone calls to the relevant conservation authorities, we received the green light unanimously to return George to his home ASAP.
At first light on Sunday morning, Curious George was packed up and driven home to Jonkershoek outside Stellenbosch, where we believe he came from. SPCA Wildlife Department supervisor Jon Friedman, enlisting the help of the local neighbourhood watch, eventually located the troop on the road to Jonkershoek. As if they were awaiting the return of their most curious junior member, there were squeals of delight and disbelief as George sauntered out of his transport box and scampered across the road to join some of his age-group pals. A few hugs and a playful tussle later, they scampered off into the thick forest on the side of the road. He was heard calling to his mom a short time later and after about an hour, he re-emerged with two of his troop mates for a game of chase up a tall tree where the three of them sat, no doubt hearing all about George’s adventures to the big city, and planning their next bit of mischievous fun.
Note: in all seriousness, the juvenile baboon was extremely lucky to have endured his ordeal unscathed. It is estimated that he travelled some 46 km from where he “boarded” the vehicle to where the vehicle eventually stopped. At any point during this journey, the youngster could have been seriously injured, maimed, outright killed or displaced into an unfamiliar environment had he escaped before help arrived.
Help Prevent Animal Stow-a-Ways
- Check the vehicle: Before starting a journey, inspect the exterior of the vehicle, including the bumper, grille, wheel wells, and undercarriage, for any signs of animals or nests.
- Park in well-lit / open areas: When parking overnight or for extended periods, choose well-lit areas with minimal vegetation where animals are less likely to hide.
- Knock on your vehicle: Before starting your journey, gently tap or knock on the car bonnet and sides to alert any animals that may be hiding inside or nearby, prompting them to vacate the area before you begin driving.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA Wildlife Department responds to all cases of sick, injured, or compromised wildlife, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Contact the Cape of Good Hope SPCA on 0217004158/9 or email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za to report sick or injured wildlife.
