No flies on poor old Johnnie Walker

IN THE middle of January, although exhausted, the Constantia baboon that the public dubbed “Johnnie Walker” walked and ran through the suburbs, avoiding being darted.

It was later reported in the media that he appeared to have made his way back to the mountain. If so, four other males from the Constantia/tokai area were not so lucky.

Just days before, TK12 and TK14 were culled in accordance with the raider protocol. Johnnie’s official name is TK11. Names for baboons have been phased out; it has been said they’re too “emotional” rather than “scientific” when “difficult decisions” have to be taken.

During the past months, Constan- tia baboons have been “chased” with paintballs as an experimental management “tool”. It hasn’t stopped them raiding. Could this pain aversion “tool” be influencing the males’ decision to leave the troop? Anyone who has ever experienced being hit by a paintball knows it hurts.

When bearbangers and bullwhips were advocated by BRU, the public was reassured that these were for noise aversion, even though these “tools” could potentially cause physical injury and received censure from the NSPCA and SPCA.

But there can be no question that paintballs are pain aversion “tools”.

It is illegal to hunt baboons. Is paintballing baboons not a form of hunting? Why are the monitors not being given training in handling the baboons humanely? Baboon Matters has repeatedly offered its methods.

Two males from the Tokai main troop deemed to be raiders were also culled in January, after being on Sanparks land.

Baboons go to BRU after death. What will become of these four culled baboons, given that, after culling, alpha male Fred was dissected on a gorily graphic TV show?

With paintballs and lethal darts in the air, maybe Johnnie knew it was a matter of “Run, Johnnie, run”.