A baboon escaped from a zoo in Cuba, resulting in a search and rescue operation involving special forces personnel, Ministry of the Interior agents and veterinarians.
Tahimí Meneses Venegas, director of the Sancti Spíritus Zoo, said the male hamadryas baboon, named Victor, managed to force a lock open and escape from his cage. Meneses Venegas said it wasn’t the first time Victor had tampered with the lock, but on previous occasions he showed no interest in escape.
“Víctor is a very observant baboon. There were times when he would break the lock but stay inside, as if showing us that he knew how to do it. This time, he decided to go out,” Meneses Venegas told Radio Sancti Spíritus.
The zoo and surrounding buildings were evacuated, and nearby residents were warned to remain indoors while special forces personnel, Ministry of the Interior agents and veterinary specialists searched for Víctor.
The baboon was located hanging on the wall of an outdoor bathroom in the neighborhood near the zoo.
Adalberto Piloto Cepero, a veterinary technician who has worked with Víctor for three years, was summoned to the scene.
“I spoke to him, and he immediately calmed down,” the veterinarian said. “For how aggressive their species is, it has always been docile with me. It recognizes me.”
The veterinarian’s calming presence allowed the rescuers to get a net over Víctor and capture him without any struggle. He was safely returned to his enclosure.
Park managers said the locks on the cages holding Víctor and other primates are being reinforced with protective covers to prevent future incidents.
