Behavioral differences between artificial and natural Chacma Baboon troops (Papio ursinus)

Abstract

Baboons are being threatened in a number of ways in South Africa. The two main causes for concern are habitat loss and hunting/poaching by the farmers who see them as agricultural pests. The Center for Animal Rehabilitation and Education (CARE) in South Africa is a rescue organization for orphaned and injured baboons. The goal of the CARE is to prepare such baboons for reintroduction into the wild at approximately 6-7 years of age. This study compares behaviors of wild baboons to baboons in captivity to determine if the rehabilitated baboons are socially equipped for life in the wild. The results of this study showed that there is no difference in the social behaviors between the captive and wild troops. In the future, additional factors, such as foraging skills and predator avoidance, should be examined, as they could also affect the successful release of these animals.