Monkey business at Knowsley Safari Park after baboons are seen armed with knives and screwdrivers

Safari park baboons are seen armed with knives, screwdrivers and even a chainsaw: Keepers suspect pranksters are responsible for handing animals weapons so they damage visitors’ cars ‘for a laugh’ 

  • Baboons at the Merseydie-based safari park were seen ‘armed’ with weapons
  • They are infamous for ripping off wing mirrors and windscreen wipers
  • Park workers believe some guests may have provided weapons for the animals

Animal keepers at a safari park in Merseyside believe that some visitors are ‘arming’ baboons with tools such as knives, screwdrivers and a chainsaw to wreak havoc on parked cars.

The baboons at Knowsley safari park have been known to rip off windscreen wipers and wing mirrors from the cars of visitors.

But now keepers claim that some visitors are trying to help increase the damage caused to vehicles by the animals by supplying weapons ‘for a laugh’, the Sunday Times reports.

Animal keepers at a safari park in Merseyside believe that some visitors are ‘arming’ baboons with tools such as knives, screwdrivers and a chainsaw

Baboons at Knowsley safari park have been known to rip off windscreen wipers and wing mirrors from the cars of visitors

Baboons at Knowsley safari park have been known to rip off windscreen wipers and wing mirrors from the cars of visitors

One mechanic in Sale knows the monkeys all too well told the paper: ‘I’ve had two customers this year who became victims of those baboons.

‘The kids start chirping up saying they want monkeys all over the car, and the next thing you know, you’re driving home with no registration plate.’

However, one park worker has been left confused by sightings of the baboons wielding weapons and wondered whether the tools had been given to the animals or if they had simply taken them from people’s toolboxes when they stopped in their enclosure.

Another worker said: ‘The baboons have been found with knives and screwdrivers. I do wonder if it’s some of the guests handing them out.’

The 550-acre park reopened its doors on June 15 after being given the green light by the government

The 550-acre park reopened its doors on June 15 after being given the green light by the government

Knowsley Safari Park claimed that their park, where guests do not leave their vehicles, was just as safe as a McDonalds drive thru

Knowsley Safari Park claimed that their park, where guests do not leave their vehicles, was just as safe as a McDonalds drive thru

Despite suggestions as to where the baboons had obtained the weapons, the park believe that tales of their animals being armed were nothing more than an urban myth.

The safari park reopened its doors on June 15 after the government gave the green light for attractions such as zoos and aquariums to begin welcoming visitors again following the coronavirus lockdown.

The 550-acre park argued that because guests do not leave their cars while on the safari, their park was just as safe as a McDonald’s drive thru.