Bobo, a very young baboon, was brought into our Malawi clinic after his mother was tragically killed, leaving him orphaned.
In the wild, baby baboons rely heavily on their mothers for the first two years of life, for food, protection, and learning the skills they’ll need to survive.
Our vet team could see that Bobo had endured a tough start to life. With plenty of fluids, nutritious food, and gentle care, Bobo slowly began to regain his strength and reach a healthy weight.
But recovery isn’t just physical, especially for animals like Bobo. Baboons are highly social creatures that live in large troops and depend on connection and companionship. Although there were no other baboons at the clinic, Bobo wasn’t alone for long. He soon found comfort in some unexpected friends, forming bonds that helped him heal in more ways than one.
Once Bobo was well enough, he was transferred to Lilongwe Wildlife Trust — an expert rehabilitation centre. We can help Bobo in many ways but to ensure he has the skills to live in the wild, he needs to be taught by those who know best. That's why he was paired with a baboon foster mum who will teach him everything he needs to know to thrive. When he’s old enough, Bobo will be released back into the Malawian savannah where he belongs.
We work throughout Malawi to help protect and preserve natural wildlife populations. Currently we are partnered with Majete Wildlife Reserve and in 2021, we constructed the Majete Veterinary Care Unit, a field clinic within the reserve to store specialised equipment, treat animals on-site, and respond quicker to wildlife emergencies. Since opening, the expert team has treated cheetahs, pangolins, a bushbaby, and zebras, as well as fitted lions, cheetahs, and elephants with monitoring collars.
