Running for Baboons

In South Africa, baboons are considered to be a nuisance species and are often poached, hunted, captured for the pet trade, used for witchcraft and killed due to human conflict. Survivors of these incidents, often infants clinging to their dead mothers, are brought to C.A.R.E (The Centre for Animal Rehabilitation and Education), an organisation which specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of chacma baboons. The baboons that come to CARE are brought to the centre with horrific psychological and physical trauma.

CARE ensures that these orphans are given a second chance in life. Once they are old enough, each baby is bonded to a surrogate baboon mother, who in turn is part of a larger troop. The aim of CARE is not to keep these troops at the sanctuary, but to release them back into the wild - so the baboons can return to where they came from and live a truly wild life, in remote areas away from humans and the problems we cause.

So far, CARE has successfully released 11 troops back into the wilds of South Africa. In order to continue their vital and pioneering work, CARE relies solely on donations from volunteers and other individuals. Having volunteered at CARE over the summer, I have seen first-hand the incredible work that happens there.

In Manchester in April, I will run 26.2 miles for the first time in my life. I can't think of any cause I would rather run for. Baboons belong in the wild, and raising money for C.A.R.E will help make this a reality.

I am attempting to raise £1,750 and a donation of any size - even if it just your morning coffee - will be hugely appreciated. To give you an idea of where the money will go to, here is a list of what we can achieve if a particular amount is raised.

-£500: 3 contraceptive implants for the baboons (we want to AVOID breeding while they're still in captivity awaiting release), plus the drugs and darts needed to perform the operation

-£1,000: The renovation of STAR enclosure, to ensure that the baboons in the troop are living the most stimulating and natural life possible. Modernising and updating the enclosures means giving the baboons the best life and mental health possible whilst they awaited release.

-£1,500: This would buy an iridium satellite collar, which would be used to help CARE track baboons that have been released. This two-way collar is used to remotely obtain location and other data from released baboons and will allow the team to track dispersal movements from the release site. The collars send out regular updates on movement and exact location, whilst also emitting warning messages if an individual moves out of the reserve, or if no movement has been detected, thus allowing CARE to react accordingly.

-£1,750: Buys the iridium satellite collar, plus the activation fee and 1-year data subscription. In addition to monitoring the safety of the baboons on the release, the data from the collar can be used for scientific research to make conclusions on the release. These collars can be used for years to come on more and more individuals and give them chances for freedom!

To find out more about C.A.R.E and our conservation mission, please visit

C.A.R.E - About

Or

C.A.R.E Facebook Page

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this,

Tom x