Baboons in a popular safari park have reportedly been spotted armed with knives, screwdrivers, and even a chainsaw.
The primates at Knowsley Safari Park in Merseyside are already known for their destructive abilities and have been images that previously pulled things out of visitors’ cars.
But now, some staff members are concerned that the baboons are armed with weapons “to laugh at” by park goers, according to the Sunday Times.
A worker told the newspaper: “We are not sure if some of the guests are giving them weapons that they want to see them attack cars, or if they are fishing them in vans and vans.”
The worker said animals sometimes go to people’s tool boxes to grab what they can, adding: “One of the baboons was seen dragging a chainsaw.”
Another said that some had been found with knives and screwdrivers and also questioned whether the baboons were being purposely armed by visitors.
Baboons are already known to cause damage to people’s vehicles, and a mechanic told the Sunday Times that they had repaired cars damaged by primates.
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But the safari park said suggestions that the baboons were armed with weapons were likely to be an urban myth, saying that some tales had “grown exaggerated” as they had been shared to make objects found in the animals’ compound ” they seemed more exciting and incredible. “
Home to animals such as lions, tigers, and rhinos, Knowsley reopened on June 15.
His website includes a guarantee that there are measures to make it COVID-Secure, including reminding guests: “If you drive through our Baboon Jungle, we will not be able to return any auto parts that our cheeky baboons can take” while noting that it is available a “car friendly route”.
