City to investigate baboon attacks

The City of Windhoek will investigate an incident in which baboons attacked two infant cousins in Okapale on the outskirts of the capital to prevent similar situations from playing out, its spokesperson Harold Akwenye said.“Normally, if we are informed, we try and drive the animals away. It is an unfortunate situation. We always get rid of nuisance baboons,” he said.He noted that City residents are encroaching on the habitat of wild animals, but called the incident unfortunate nonetheless.Ministry reviewing policiesEnvironment ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said baboon attacks on humans are very rare, adding that efforts are underway to engage the families involved.“We are meeting the family possibly today [yesterday] so that we can see what the possible solutions are in terms of the policies of the ministry, in terms of assistance,” he said.Scarred for lifeFive-month-old Peya Heita was dragged out of her family’s shack by a baboon while she was sleeping last Wednesday, while her cousin, 11-month-old Natalia Petrus, will bear scars from a baboon attack for the rest of her life. Petrus was attacked in late September.Heita, who succumbed to her injuries on Saturday, was dragged into a nearby riverbed by the animal while her mother Josephina Petrus had been cooking, her aunt Salmi Petrus told Namibian Sun on Sunday.The baby was rushed to Katutura State Hospital, from where she was transferred to Windhoek Central Hospital for a medical procedure.

City to investigate baboon attacks

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-21

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City to investigate baboon attacks

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-21

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