Down in Australia, residents breathed a collective sigh of relief as news broke that there were no escaped baboons on the loose. It seems that the handlers at the Adelaide Zoo had a temporary lapse of judgement and thought it would be a hilarious prank to inform the public that a gang of wild primates were gallivanting throughout the city.
Sydney-siders, Melbournians, and Brisbanites alike rushed to lock their doors and hide their bananas, but it turns out that the whole thing was a false alarm. The public was left scratching their heads, wondering why anyone would even think it was humorous to instill panic and anxiety into the masses. After all, who wouldn’t be terrified at the thought of a troop of errant baboons running loose in their city?
Zoo officials calmly explained that the baboon enclosure had been accidentally left open during a routine cleaning, but the primates had not made any attempt to escape. So, why did the staff at Adelaide Zoo feel compelled to terrify citizens with their prank? Do they have a sadistic sense of humor or did they simply want to liven up an otherwise dull news day?
News outlets dutifully reported on the incident, with headlines blaring about escaped baboons on the loose. South Australian Police even issued warnings to the public, advising everyone to stay indoors and report any sightings of the rogue primates. Though, in hindsight, it seems like the authorities should have picked up on the fact that this was all just a silly joke.
The people of Adelaide are now left feeling a bit silly for having fallen for such a ridiculous hoax. However, they’re also rightfully angry about the unnecessary panic the baboon debacle caused. Many have taken to social media to voice their frustrations, with one local tweeting, “Thanks a lot, Adelaide Zoo. I just had a heart attack for no reason.”
On the flip side, some residents are taking a more lighthearted approach to the situation. Quipped one man in the CBD, “At least it wasn’t crocodiles. Those things are fast.”
Regardless of how one feels about the humor (or lack thereof) behind the baboon prank, it’s clear that zoo officials should have taken the matter more seriously. In an era where fake news is already running rampant, spreading unverified reports of escaped animals is the last thing anyone needs.
So, for those who stockpiled bananas and locked themselves in their homes earlier today, it’s time to emerge back into the sunlight. The baboons are safe and sound, the zookeepers are hopefully being reprimanded for their foolishness, and Adelaide can go back to being the sleepy city it’s always been.
