Monkeys and Baboons – Their Captivity and Rehabilitation and Release

Welcome to our sanctuary, where we embark on a remarkable journey dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing monkeys and baboons back into the wild. With a history dating back to 1973, our commitment to wildlife conservation has led to some incredible success stories. In this article, we’ll take you through our efforts and share how we transform orphaned and rescued primates into thriving, self-sufficient troops ready for the wild.

Creating a Cohesive Troop for a Successful Release:
Monkeys are fascinating creatures known for their strong social bonds and cooperative living. In the world of monkey behavior and biology, a “troop” refers to a closely-knit group of monkeys that live and move together. These troops are not just random collections of individuals; they represent complex social structures that play a vital role in their survival in the wild. Monkeys exhibit a remarkable sense of community and cooperation within these troops. Their strong social characteristics, such as grooming each other, sharing food, and establishing hierarchies, all contribute to the troop’s success. These bonds help ensure their collective safety, access to resources, and the ability to navigate the challenges of their natural habitat.

The key to releasing monkeys is ensuring they can fend for themselves, which involves a deep understanding of these dynamics within a troop and establishing a hierarchy that will be successful. We aim for an ideal composition of adult males, a few subservient males, several females, and some juveniles. This process can take 2-3 years, with a minimum of 7-10 monkeys required for a successful release.

The Monkeys of Chipangali:
Monkeys find their way to Chipangali for various reasons, including injury, orphaned babies, abandonment, and being considered problem animals by the community if they encroach on human towns and villages. All Monkeys currently residing at Chipangali have the eventual goal to be released back into the wild.

Our journey into releasing monkeys began in 1973 when we received a group of monkeys. Over time, we combined them to create a cohesive troop and prepared to release them on Zebra Island in Lake Kariba, which was once an isolated haven for wildlife about 7 km from the mainland. All 20 animals were released, and they thrived in their new environment. However, as water levels receded, Zebra Island eventually became part of the mainland, and the animals adapted accordingly.

In some cases, monkeys can be captured, relocated, and released quickly if they were already found in the wild. Often we are called to relocate monkeys that pose threats at airports, preventing them from being shot or poisoned. These monkeys can be quickly integrated into an existing successful troop and released into safe environments like the Matopos nearby Bulawayo when captured in a group as wild monkeys.

Since our first release in 1973, Chipangali has released dozens of successful monkey troops into protected national reserves throughout Zimbabwe, including the Matopos National Park and the Hwange National Park.

Baboons: A Unique Challenge:
Releasing baboons presents its own set of challenges. Unlike vervet monkeys, baboons don’t venture as far from their original territories, making it trickier to find suitable release locations. They often have a much wider territorial area, and troops can often overlap with each other. About 4-5 years ago, we made a daring choice by introducing them to a cattle ranch where humans were rarely seen within a 16-kilometer radius.

Our goal was for these baboons to join an existing troop in the area. However, this method requires patience, as it can take 7 years for male baboons and 5 years for females to sexually mature, and time is needed to form a successful troop for release.

Sometimes, the unpredictable nature of wildlife conservation demands swift decisions and immediate action. Such was the case when a wild and extraordinarily strong baboon found its way into a house, creating a potentially perilous situation for both the animal and the residents. This baboon possessed exceptional strength, to the extent that it could bend and destroy the burglar bars meant to secure the house. While we are equipped to provide exceptional care to a wide range of wildlife, we did not have a suitable enclosure capable of safely containing a baboon of such incredible strength and ferocity. Placing the baboon in a standard enclosure would have presented a significant risk of injury, not only to the animal but also to our caregivers. In light of these unique circumstances, we made the prudent decision to release the baboon into the Matopos immediately.

Conclusion:
At Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage, we stand as a beacon of hope for orphaned and rescued primates, offering them a chance to return to the wild. Through careful planning, dedication, and an understanding of each species’ unique needs, our staff work tirelessly to create successful troops ready for release.

Our stories of releasing monkeys and baboons not only highlight the challenges but also the triumphs of wildlife rehabilitation. As we continue to receive support from wonderful individuals like you, we contribute to a brighter future for these incredible creatures and our planet as a whole. Thank you for being a part of our journey!