Baboon Family ties
In 2020 a juvenile named Benni was captured and euthanised due to serious injuries sustained by another baboon.
This was the second occasion – the first injury healed, however, the second injury was too serious and the decision to euthanise was made.
An iconic male named Fingers who is one of the sub-adults, stayed with Benni for a number of days until she was finally captured. During the capture, Fingers had to be held back while she was caged.
During this time Fingers displayed the most heart-aching vocal and physical anguish when Benni was taken away. This continued for some time after she had gone. The rangers who witnessed the situation were very upset by what they saw.
Each member plays a role in the troop, and baboons feel grief and anguish about any loss within the family, just like us humans.
Learn more about baboons to try understand them better as they play an integral part in our local eco-system.
To learn more about baboons visit Live Science.