NSPCA rescues 12 young Chacma Baboons
The National Council of SPCA's (NSPCA) has rescued 12 young Chacma Baboons from a University in the Free State.
Inspector Erika Vercuiel says the baboons were wild caught and destined for biomedical research where 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," says Vercuiel .
Vercuiel says the wild baboons were traumatised by the capture process.
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"They were denied their freedom and subjected to captivity, which caused unnecessary stress and suffering," adds Vercuiel.
As soon as the NSPCA secured the release of the baboons, they were immediately transferred 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," says Vercuiel.
The baboons have now been released to their natural habitat, and Vercuiel says they seem to have adjusted.
"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," she adds.