/ 9 March 2000

BABOON DESTROYS SIX FARMS

A BABOON which climbed on electricity lines in a rural part of the Western Cape sparked a fire which destroyed at least six farms. Police Inspector Derik Petersen said a badly burnt baboon was found hanging on the electricity wires near the farming town of Porterville. He said police believed the baboon had caused the fire, which began Tuesday afternoon and which by Wednesday had moved high into surrounding mountains, eluding firefighters.