A clever baboon and notorious lollipop thief pulled quite the stunt when he broke out of the slammer (his relocation ‘trap’). Needless to say, never underestimate a baboon! Have a look:
Brits, South Africa (01 November 2024) — A clever baboon has been a hot topic in animal conservation for all reasons humorous!
The Owl Rescue Centre first introduced the clever baboon to its audience as a cheeky lollipop thief after he managed to fetch himself a single lollipop for the local Pick n Pay and enjoyed it on full display for everyone to see the spoil of his efforts.
The team had been called to catch the ‘culprit’, but this baboon wasn’t monkeying around. Realising that the ‘authorities’ were onto him, he swiftly managed to evade his rescue and relocation like a smooth (and in this case, sticky) operator.
Days passed, and more manoeuvres from the baboon ensued. Spotted on the scene in different areas around town, the baboon was also caught giving FNB the eyes (a baboon-led bank heist, perhaps?). However, when he reached a high school (not likely in the mood to borrow educational supplies), the Owl Rescue team finally caught up to him.
Or did they?
In a hilarious moment caught on camera, the clever baboon managed to avoid being trapped in the slammer (a monkey trap used to secure the animals before they’re relocated) and broke straight out of his cell! Where most animals might take their banana bait and end up with the trap door closed, this baboon took his banana right off and headed for the hills before the trap could close.
The Owl Rescue Centre openly confessed that he had outsmarted them this time but that they’d be back.
For those interested, the team shared that their banana was overripe which made it tricky for trapping (ideally, you’d want a green banana for tighter fastening, they explained).
Jokingly, the South African Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre offered to give the team some tips while the ORC considered making a metal banana and welding it to the lever to make the ultimate banana bait in future.
Both organisations have countless recuses under their belt and are huge forces of help for South Africa’s wildlife. But as it goes to show, no matter how long you’ve been in the business of rescues, sometimes you’re just no match for monkey business.
The clever baboon certainly foiled his own relocation plans that day, but hey, we can’t expect him to know everything!
Needless to say, anyone who thinks a baboon can’t outsmart them, think again. You might just end up with a missing a lollipop and a metal banana.
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