The team travelled all the way to the Northern Cape to save a young female baboon who had been chained to a tree without food or water for days. She’s safe now — with all the bananas and monkey nuts she could ask for.
Hartbeespoort, South Africa (09 December 2025) – This rescue took Brendan and his loyal working dogs across provinces, from their base in Hartbeespoort to a large farm in the Northern Cape, a 1500km journey each way.
Before Brendan reached the little one, the outcome was uncertain. The caller couldn’t provide a proof-of-life video, meaning the trip was a gamble from the start. That didn’t matter. Brendan loaded up his van, Flash and Freckles onboard, and set off anyway.
When he arrived, Brendan jumped one fence, then another. After some scouting, he finally spotted the small baboon. She had been left alone for days without anything to eat or drink, chained to a tree on a leash so short she couldn’t even reach the lowest branches.
She was frightened, but thankfully, alive.
Armed with a bunch of bananas, Brendan quickly earned her trust. Within minutes, she had polished off five bananas and was safely secured in a cage, ready for the long journey back to Hartbeespoort.
Back at base, the little baboon latched onto Brendan almost immediately. Bringer of bananas. Hero of the day.
The rescue was carried out by the Owl Rescue Centre on behalf of Prime CREW Wildlife, a Limpopo-based organisation dedicated to ensuring the best possible quality of life and care for abandoned exotics and displaced indigenous wildlife.
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The young baboon, now affectionately named Khatoo by the Owl Rescue Centre, will be transferred to Prime CREW early this week.
Reflecting on the rescue operation, Brendan shared just how unlikely the rescue felt going in and why it became on of his top 10 missions in the last 20,000 the rescue centre has carried out.
“It was a bit of a miracle rescue. We couldn’t get a proof of life video, which we always ask for. The guy who had chained the baby hadn’t been around for about a week. So yeah, a 1500km return trip with a good chance he wasn’t there or wasn’t alive was a strong possibility. Hence he goes into our top ten.”
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