Keepers at Knowsley Safari Park in the UK are warning visitors with luggage on their roofs to avoid the baboon enclosure, due to a number of luggage box opening incidents that have occurred.
According to Knowsley Safari Park general manager David Ross, the first time it occurred, the activity was dismissed as an isolated incident, but increasing reports and complacent visitors forced them into action.
Staff at the Safari Park re-enacted a typical luggage box opening incident to drive home the seriousness of the situation to visitors who often ignored their warnings. While it was a re-enactment, it was staged only to the extent that the “visitors” were staff and the luggage involved was not anything that would be missed. The baboons actions were entirely authentic.
Ross describes the baboons’ technique:
Their technique involves the largest baboons jumping up and down on the box, flexing it until the lock bursts open, then the rest of the baboons pile in to see what they can find.
Obviously, we’re well used to them helping themselves to the odd wing mirror or wiper blade, but this has taken things to a whole new level. Let’s face it, nobody wants to see a baboon running up a tree with their underwear.
Ross, on the re-enactment:
The baboons were into the luggage box on our car within minutes and absolute mayhem ensued. We will now be able to show photographs of this incident to visitors with cargo boxes who may be thinking of playing “Russian roulette” in the monkey jungle.
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