Residents report baboon sightings in Secunda
Animal welfare professionals urge residents to leave the animal alone.
A large male baboon was spotted on rooftops in a residential area in Secunda this afternoon.
Wildlife rescuers are currently monitoring reports of sightings. The baboon was last seen in the Cosmosrand area. A team is on standby to catch and relocate the baboon.
Marius van Reeuwyk, chief animal welfare inspector at the South African Animal Welfare Inspectorate Association, urges residents not to try to catch, shoot or provoke the animal.
In fact, he advises residents to leave the baboon alone. Do not try to interact with the animal or to feed it.
“This is a wild animal, and although we do not dismiss it, the chances that this is someone’s pet is slim. We suspect it could have come into the area on a truck.
“Anyone who tries to harm or shoot the baboon will be criminally charged and prosecuted,” declared Van Reeuwyk. He wants to prevent a similar incident to what had happened back in April 2018 when a rogue baboon also found itself being chased around in Secunda. The distressed animal was eventually shot dead.
More recently, Raygun, a rogue baboon trekked through Pretoria a year ago, but ended up being tortured and killed by high school learners in Botleng, Delmas, on February 6, 2025.
Tanja Ackerman of Secunda Wildlife Rescue said residents should keep their small dogs inside while the team is tracking the baboon’s movements.
Ackerman asks if anyone sees the animal, to to contact her or Van Reeuwyk immediately at 082 057 9157 or 067 858 9719.
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