AIM:

C.A.R.E is aiming to insert all of the sexually mature baboon females at the Centre with reversible Contraceptive Implants to prevent the breeding of the rescued animals whilst at the facility. If we allow breeding at the centre the welfare of the baboons is compromised due to the stretching of already very limited resources: space/food/funding. Therefore we have a no-breeding policy since 2007 and must not allow uncontrolled breeding of the baboons.

 

FQA:

 

WHAT IMPLANTS ARE YOU USING?

We prefer to use nexplanon/implanon and Jadelle Implants.  We have also used Deslorelin. 

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IMPLANON / NEXPLANON: So far, the implants usually work for at least 3 years.  They are purchased locally, easy to source (was only the case since 2019).  They are expensive, but reliable.

 

DESLORELIN: Now difficult to source as it is shipped from Australia.  So far all the females which have had the implants have remained healthy, maintained their rank and have not become pregnant.  The lower dose 4.9mg deslorelin implants have lasted a minimum of 8 months in the chacma baboon females, with most lasting up to 18 months.  It is easy to tell when the implants are wearing off as the females begin to get their trademark posterior sexual swellings, characteristic of oestrus and ovulation.  The implants do not hurt, the procedure is quick and it gives us a perfect opportunity to give the baboons important health screening and routine deworming injections.  We also use the larger implants on males, it works the same way as a non-surgical castration.  We are also trialing 

 

WHAT'S INVOLVED IN THE VETERINARY PROCESS:
The females are sedated and this gives the perfect opportunity for an all-over health check and boosters. 

 

Whilst sedated the implant is inserted subcutaneously in the lower neck.  The female is given a TB test as part of our disease control policy, a Vitamin B12 injection and deworming injections (Droncit and Ivermectin) are given routinely.

The implants have so far not had any negative reactions.  The implants are massaged under the skin far away from the insertion site to ensure they stay put.

 

WHY DO YOU NEED THEM IF THE BABOONS ARE RELEASEABLE?  In order for a baboon to be considered releasable, one of the requirements is that the majority of the troop have reached emotional maturity/adulthood; therefore they are emotionally mature (do not need any reassurance from their care-givers), can fend for themselves and the males have the canines to protect the troop from threats.

The females reach sexual maturity well before they are emotionally mature - very much like us human primates.  They reach sexual maturity before the males grow their full canines & become emotionally mature. C.A.R.E does not want the baboons to breed whilst in captivity, as we aim to use all the resources that we have on incoming baboons or baboons which are already undergoing rehabilitation.

 

HOW IS THIS IMPROVING CAPTIVE MANAGEMENT METHODS:

Previously we use the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera to prevent the females from becoming pregnant; this is extremely laborious, involving the successful darting of each female at the centre every two months. Over time this is also extremely costly and only lasts for a maximum two months. The constant darting within the troops increases the stress levels and is also taking up the time of the Management who could be focusing their efforts on other things such as finding release sites, centre improvements, the essential education and awareness initiatives.

 

Please make a huge difference today and sponsor this vital fund. You will receive a certificate and photo of the female you sponsored.