Previous Releases

1994 – Mfene Troop: Ten hand-reared baboons were released as a troop at Letaba Ranch, Limpopo. After 1 year a 70% survival rate was observed and a 60% survival rate after 2 years. The small troop integrated into an existing wild troop of baboons living in the same area.

1996 - Charlie Troop: Eighteen baboons were released into Mosdene Private Nature Reserve in Limpopo. The significance here was that this reserve is surrounded by private farmers and yet we had not one complaint from any side, on the contrary, we had much help and cooperation from the farmers. After 1 and 2 years a 94% and 72% survival rate were observed. The last troop census in March 2007 (11 years after the initial release) the troop had grown to 52 baboons. Due to there being no other baboons in the area, in 2006, a second troop was released onto the reserve to facilitate male crossover behaviour and increase genetic variability into the area.

At this stage further releases were prohibited by the Department of Environmental Affairs, Limpopo. They believed that the Chacma baboon had various sub-species and that mixing their genes would endanger the further existence of the Chacma baboon. The controversy was resolved when the Chacma and other African baboons were taxonomically reclassified and became sub- species. Due to this debate, CARE now had a 4 year backlog of releasable troops.

2000 – Venter Troop: Release of 31 baboons which had been confiscated from a baboon trappers place in a terrible condition. These were wild baboons who were released into Letaba Ranch which was arranged by the Dept. Of Environmental affairs. Due to the fact that these baboons were wild it was difficult for CARE to monitor the troop.

2002 - CAPE Troop: Release of 14 baboons which had been confiscated from CAPE laboratories. The animals were released at Shambala Nature Reserve and CARE had the great honour of having Nelson Mandela on hand to observe the baboons “walk to freedom”. 

2002 - Einstein Troop: Release of a hand raised troop of 17 baboons at the Vredefort Dome Conservancy, North West- a proposed World Heritage Site. Their integration with the last wild resident troop had assisted their successful integration into the area. In the first year after the release, 3 babies were born with no single deaths. 

2002 – Tito Troop An additional troop of 18 hand raised baboons found refuge in a separate part of the 18000 Ha Dome Conservancy in December 2002. Unfortunately 2 years later after poisoning and shooting (going against an agreement by conservancy landowners), and a survival rate of 61%, the troop was returned to CARE due to doubts of their continued safety. 
 
2006 - Henry Troop: A second troop of 25 baboons were released onto Mosdene Private Nature Reserve (see 1996) to support the genetic viability and facilitate male cross over behaviour. A male born wild into the 1996 troop took over our troop and quickly taught them the lay of the land. After 1 year a 75% survival rate was observed and 63% after 2 years. In the 2 years the troop gave rise to 4 babies to make up for initial losses, males have moved between the two troops and continue to thrive as a fully wild troop.

2007 - Titos troop: rescued from Vredefort Dome in 2002 found a new home at MagNab Game Farm, Limpopo. With no other existing troops in the area but the odd lone male, we attempted to repopulate the mountainous region of Bolobedu with baboons. The release was a success with a 1 year survival rate of 80% and our last record, after 29 months, observed a survival rate of 64% with 5 babies born since September 2008. The troop has also allowed 2 lone males in the area to join the troop. 
 
 2007 - Groovy Troop: A second troop of 11 baboons were released onto the other side of MagNab to facilitate male crossover behaviour. Unfortunately, unknown to the release team, there was a high activity of poaching with dogs which led to the troop being removed. These poaching incidents led to CARE setting up an anti-poaching effort on MagNab. With Tito’s troop still thriving on the other part of the farm, CARE made an attempt to curb the poaching with a permanent presence and anti-poaching activities. After 5 months a reduction in poaching activity was seen and over 100 wire snares were removed. An area with no poaching activity was located and after much monitoring it was decided to release another troop onto MagNab. 

2009 – Rambo Troop: Late January 2009, Rambo’s troop were released into an area close to Titos troop. Of 11 baboons, one was euthenased after a potentially fatal wound, and one was killed by a snouted cobra. However it seemed that CARE’s anti-poaching had made them some enemies and 8 months after release, despite continuous monitoring, 2 vicious attacks were made on the troop resulting in the loss of 4 troop members and the removal of the troop, ending the MagNab dream.

Despite this, Titos troop, who quickly learnt not to trust humans, continue to thrive and grow.