30 June 2009
Like His 'Cousin' Sol, Mike the Male Baboon With Wanderlust Appears to Be Attracted By the Bright Lights of the Big City.
He was last seen heading for Cape Town via University Estate on the slopes of Devil's Peak - areas he's familiar with.
A dispersing male from Tokai who is estimated to be about eight years old, the well-travelled Mike has been trying to leave his natal troop since early April, but human development has thwarted his efforts to find another troop to shack up with.
Earlier on Monday, he was also spotted at a restaurant at Rhodes Memorial, probably checking out any opportunities for some easy-to-come-by snacks for his journey.
An attempt was made to sedate and capture him on Friday, but although the dart struck home, the baboon did not go down as expected. "The drug didn't work," said Jenni Trethowan of the conservation and baboon monitor management group, Baboon Matters.
"Sometimes this drug isn't as effective the second time around, according to my observations, although there's no scientific proof for this." A vet is available and a fresh attempt will be made to dart the animal today, if his whereabouts can be confirmed.
Mike first went walkabout in early April, taking in Rondebosch, the presidential Groote Schuur complex for a quick visit, Walmer Estate, Vredehoek, and Higgovale before being darted and returned home.
In the past fortnight, he's visited Constantia, Plumstead, the Royal Cape golf course and Wynberg, before heading for the mountain again and moving north towards the city.
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