Walking With Baboons

The first time I stepped out onto the trail behind the baboons, I didn’t know what to expect. Karin Saks called them into formation and off we went; through the endangered Yellowood forest with three or four young rescued baboons doing what they do best: playing, climbing, hooting and generally acting like most rambunctious small children.

The closest comparative experience I’ve had, from working in the Canadian wilderness is working around bears. But if a bear ever ran past you, grabbed your pant leg, laughed, ran away and climbed a tree to further taunt you, you’d probably lose your shit. While bears are intelligent and curious, they generally don’t exhibit more “human” personality traits that I’m seeing here. These baboons, well, I’m fairly shocked – to say the least – to see just how similar we are. I know I’m not the only person to every daydream about talking to an animal and have them talk back. It’s happening. Pinch me.