I am pleased to remind you all that it has been exactly one year since the great ape escape of 2020.
This was not some boring, Australiana fauna jumping across the Harbour Bridge casually. This was like, the real shit. Baboons. In Sydney City. Running around freely.
Police were called to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney’s inner west, after baboons – BABOONS – were spotted on the loose.
“My daughter is an occupational therapist at RPA and she said “yes mum I just helped wrangle them,” a woman told 2GB at the time.
Police on scene at #RPA – 3 baboons believed to be on the loose … I cannot believe I am tweeting this. @10NewsFirst @10NewsFirstSyd @10Daily pic.twitter.com/HSPGm0c5ZN
— Charlotte Goodlet (@cgoodlet) February 25, 2020
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the little guys escaped the RPA and University of Sydney, and a source who has direct knowledge said the animals were living in a low-security building, but secretively. SECRETIVELY, you guys.
The SMH also reported that they had been used for studies, including studies on diet, exercise and electrocution. This news of baboons being used for secretive experiments is not new, but I certainly had NFI it was going on. Still, SMH reported on it four years ago:
There are plenty of videos of the baboons and their bid for freedom.
The baboons have been spotted! Details shortly on #9News. #BaboonWatch #SydneyBaboons
📸 – Michael Tran pic.twitter.com/Ww7uqc6n2R
— 9News Sydney (@9NewsSyd) February 25, 2020
This is not a Mandrill! Earlier this afternoon, a troop of baboons escaped from a facility and were going bananas in Camperdown. Police and wildlife handlers now have the situation under control, so please let them do their job and don’t be tempted to pry, mates.
— NSW Police Force (@nswpolice) February 25, 2020
THEY’RE TAKING OVER!!! #BaboonWatch #baboons2020 (vid Michael Tran) pic.twitter.com/aVbmJhQjV3
— Dougal Wallace (@DougalWallace) February 25, 2020
A Greens spokesman has welcomed the free baboons.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Greens Spokesperson for Animal Welfare has welcomed the Sydney Baboon’s bid for freedom.
“I wish them well,” she said.
ENDS. https://t.co/dDnu0LrB21
— Mehreen Faruqi (@MehreenFaruqi) February 25, 2020
You know what? I welcome them too.
