Bushbaby rescue: Stowaway Maurice returns home after 1,400km journey

A 1,400km drive from Johannesburg to Cape Town ended in an unexpected wildlife rescue after a lesser bushbaby was discovered hiding in a vehicle after the journey.

The tiny nocturnal primate — later named Maurice — was found alive, alert and uninjured after apparently stowing away unnoticed for the entire trip. The animal was handed over to the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, where its Wildlife Unit confirmed it was a lesser galago, a species that does not naturally occur in the Western Cape.

Bushbabies are small, wide-eyed primates native to woodland and savanna regions in northern and eastern parts of South Africa, including Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Wildlife officials warned that releasing the animal locally would have posed serious risks, both to the bushbaby’s survival and to local ecosystems.

After being placed in the SPCA’s care, arrangements were made to return Maurice to his home territory. Working alongside the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital, specialists were able to identify the colony from which the animal likely originated.

The repatriation process required official approval from CapeNature, which regulates the transport of wild animals into and out of the province. Once permits were secured, logistical support was provided by Airlink, allowing the bushbaby to be safely flown back to Johannesburg.

According to wildlife experts, returning the animal to its original habitat offered the best chance of survival. Bushbabies are social and territorial animals, and separating them from their family groups significantly reduces their ability to thrive in the wild.

Although the lesser bushbaby is listed as a species of least conservation concern due to its wide distribution, animal welfare organisations caution that accidental translocations — often caused by vehicles, shipping containers or building materials — can have fatal consequences if not properly managed.

The SPCA said the incident highlighted the importance of checking vehicles and equipment after travelling long distances, particularly from bushveld areas, and urged members of the public to immediately contact wildlife professionals if a wild animal is discovered.

Maurice has since been reunited with his colony, bringing a successful end to what rescuers described as a rare and remarkable journey.

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Cape Argus