Cape turns into planet of the apes as flames close in on primate sanctuary

A primate sanctuary in Somerset West was forced to release 38 vervet monkeys‚ four baboons and several dogs as flames from fynbos fires closed in.

The animals were set free on Tuesday night by sanctuary owner Pat O'Neill‚ 91‚ who said she made the decision because it was impossible for her to evacuate them.

• WATCH: Unemployed man does his bit to help fire-fighters tackle Somerset West infernoAs fires raged through Somerset West and the Hottentots-Holland mountains‚ residents from affected areas jumped in to help the firefighters who have been hard at work dousing the flames. 

“I didn't want all of them to get killed in the fire. It would have been too difficult to take them in my car‚” she said.

O’Neill’s pet chimpanzee‚ Kalu‚ which has lived with her for more than 40 years‚ was at her home in Somerset West. All the animals made their way back to the sanctuary yesterday‚ some through the help of good Samaritans in the area.

• WATCH: Wildfires reduce part of SA's oldest wine farm and a four-star lodge to ashesWildfires tearing across Somerset West in the Western Cape have damaged one of the country's oldest and most prestigious wine farms. 

“The baboons actually stayed on the roof of the house and the vervets went off and they came back again. The dogs were all rescued by someone who stays here‚” said O’Neill.

She had been overwhelmed by the public support‚ but was worried about fire damage at her sanctuary.

• WATCH: Firefighters battle gale-force winds as Western Cape fires rage onFirefighters battle gale-force winds as Somerset West fires continue to burn. Times Media reporter Aron Hyman is on the frontline at Sir Lowry's Pass in the Western Cape. 

“It's not looking too good at the moment‚ but touch wood‚ the animals are all back and happy again‚” she said.

- TMG Digital/The Times