A road patrol officer was filmed assisting two baboons as they tentatively crossed Simon’s Town’s busy main road.
The footage, which emerged over the weekend, was originally uploaded on Instagram by thecaperobyn, with the caption “If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles Darwin laughing.”
It began to go viral after it was shared by the South Africa Instagram account—a page that regularly publishes South African travel content.
Watch the touching moment below:
The clip was also shared on YouTube…
The video has reignted the conversation about the (often tense) relationship between humans and baboons in this part of Cape Town.
While some baboon encounters in the area have lead to conflict, this moment offers a rare example of coexistence, with a human stepping in to ensure the baboons aren’t hit by cars.
A local primate
Chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) are native to southern Africa and are commonly found in the Cape Peninsula, where they often come into contact with humans.
The chacma is like all other baboons—from the Old World monkey family—and is one of the largest of all monkeys.
The species is highly adaptable and frequently ventures into urban and residential areas in search of food.
It has lead to both conflicts and conservation efforts aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence.
Have you had a baboon encounter?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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