Tragic end to Raygun's bid for freedom: Pretoria's beloved rogue baboon beaten, burnt to death

Raygun the baboon is dead. According to reports, the primate was beaten and set alight by high school learners. 

Residents are now demanding justice and calling for SPCA and police intervention.

Raygun shot to fame late last month following reports by the Owl Rescue Centre that he had jumped a fence at a local sanctuary and ended up in the national archives building at the Department of Arts and Culture. 

At the time, the conservation group said workers arrived at work to find Raygun sitting on the roof. Raygun's activity was tracked with residents providing updates if or when they spotted him.

Last week, the centre confirmed Raygun had been tracked to the Zwavelpoort valley, near Olympus, just east of Pretoria.

As Raygun continued his journey, he was spotted traversing Silverton and heading east, raising concerns that he might attempt to cross through the densely populated Mamelodi township, reported Pretoria News.

Reports claim that Raygun was sitting on the school roof and learners were screaming and throwing objects at him.

A bewildered Raygun is seen running back and forth on the roof. 

In another video that has been shared on social media, learners are seen beating Raygun and setting him alight.

Residents are calling for action to be taken against the learners.

Commenting on a post by the Tshwane SPCA, residents called for police intervention.

"There needs to be repercussions for this. Totally barbaric and disgusting," said a resident.

IOL has reached out to the National Council of SPCAs for comment. 

seanne.rall@iol.co.za

IOL