Safety alert - a loose baboon has been spotted in the Northcliff area of Johannesburg.
Community Led Animal Welfare's Cora Bailey says the baboon is trying to avoid people, so they should not provoke it.
"He is more frightened of people than we could be of him. Right now, he is doing his very best to avoid people," she said.
"Don't forget he is without his troop members or any kind of backup. He is just really looking to get off that ridge and it's not easy. This is a terrifying experience for him," Cora told Time Out.
She says the baboon has been on the loose for the past couple of months.
"He was first spotted in the Magaliesburg, Cradle area. He moved across the Western suburbs and is now at the edge of that ridge; he may move back a little. He has been in the north cliff area for a few days now," Cora says.
She explained that adult male baboons often have to move away from their families to prevent inbreeding.
"Male baboons, when they become adults, they have to leave the family. That's nature's way of preventing inbreeding. Because of urbanisation, these poor animals take forever to find another troop and he will keep moving until he finds another troop of baboons."
She adds that people should not see him as a threat.
"He is not out there to attack anyone. This is not something unusual. The only time he would be threatening is if he was cornered. The minute he sees people, he is off. He has done his best to avoid any kind of conflict or confrontation," she said.
Authorities have warned the public not to feed him.
Residents are encouraged to contact Community Led Animal Welfare (CLAW) if they spot the loose baboon.
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