ANOTHER wild baboon on the loose

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Wildlife authorities are calling on the public to remain calm after another wild male baboon has been spotted in an urban area. This follows the tragic death of Raygun, who was beaten and killed in Delmas, Mpumalanga, last week.

The animal was tortured and set alight in the gruesome act that has warranted a criminal investigation by the national SPCA.

ANOTHER BABOON ON THE LOOSE – WHERE IS HE?

In a Facebook post, the Owl Rescue Centre in Johannesburg revealed that another lone male baboon had been spotted heading from the Roodeplaat area towards Pretoria.

The baboon is named Jasiri, which means “brave and courageous” in Swahili.

According to the animal activists, it is common for male baboons to leave their troops in search of another when they reach sexual maturity.

Speaking to The South African,Brendan Murray revealed that the wild animal was last spotted crossing the highway near the Pretoria suburb of Wonderboom.

He said of the baboon: “He is probably going to find a high place to sleep for the night. In the morning, he is going to head north to Hamanskraal/Soshunguve, or he’s going to come to Pretoria. Or he might head west to Ga-Rankuwa, but then he has to get past Atteridgeville.”

The organisation claimed that it was “exceptionally difficult” to dart the animal and later release it in the wild as “these buggers can climb.”

We have another young dispersing male baboon named Jasiri making his way from the Roodeplaat area towards Pretoria. We’…

Posted by Owl Rescue Centre on Tuesday 11 February 2025

WHAT SHOULD THE PUBLIC DO IF THEY SPOT HIM?

According to Murray, the public should report any sightings of Jasiri to their WhatsApp line – 082 719 5463.

He emphasised: “He is not going to hurt anybody. He is not dangerous or bite anyone.”

PERPETRATORS BEHIND RAYGUN’S DEATH TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES

Meanwhile, the SPCA is offering a R20 000 reward for information leading to the conviction of persons who beat and killed Raygun the baboon last week.

The NGO revealed that the animal was “in search of freedom” when he was cornered on the roof of the Botleng Secondary School in Delmas, Mpumalanga.

Earlier on in the day, ten children fainted at the school. This lead to the community’s belief that the baboon – whose presence symbolises witchcraft in African culture – was behind the attack.

The SPCA is offering a R20k reward for the brutal attack on a baboon known as ‘Raygun’. The wild animal was en route to find a new troop.
Images via NSPCA

Raygun was brutally beaten, and his body was set alight. His body was also mutilated, with his hands, feet, and head cut off and his heart removed.

According to the SPCA, the community – including the school – has refused to reveal who was behind the attack.

Anyone with information relevant to the investigation can contact the NSPCA at wild3@nspca.co.za. They can also call 011 907 3590. All tip-offs will remain anonymous.