Four baboons used a 55-gallon barrel to escape from a research facility in Texas on the weekend, as startled motorists took video of the primates merrily running alongside a road.
They were out and about for twenty to thirty minutes before an animal capture team caught up with them.
A press release put out by the Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest National Primate Research Center explains how they managed it.
“The baboons are housed in an open air enclosure that is surrounded by perimeter walls that fold inward to preclude the animals from jumping out. This enclosure has been used for more than 35 years. The animal care staff has determined that the animals rolled a 55-gallon barrel to an upright position.
“Implementation of the barrels as an enrichment tool used to help mimic foraging behaviors was reviewed by the animal care and use team and USDA during their last inspection and found to be a valuable component of the enrichment program. However, the team has removed them from use for further assessment and modification, as the barrel was close enough to the wall that the animals had an opportunity to climb on one and get out of the housing structure. Upon noticing the animals on top of the enclosure, our animal care team immediately removed the barrels from the enclosure and alerted the animal capture team.”
For those worried about how exactly they captured the naughty baboons, John Bernal, DVM, attending veterinarian at SNPRC, explains.
“The animal care team held two of the three baboons to the tree line, while members of the animal capture team followed one baboon along the street and used verbal and hand signaling commands to corral the baboon to the tree line for its safety and efficient capture.
“Our team was ensuring the baboon was not hurt by traffic on Military Drive.”
Check out footage below.
https://www.facebook.com/KSAT12/videos/10157354959003858/
