Meet Jack: The Baboon Who Worked for the South African Railways 🐒🚂
By Jude Obuseh In the late 19th century, an extraordinary story unfolded on the South African railways. A chacma baboon named Jack officially worked as a signalman from 1881 to 1890. He was paid twenty cents a day and received half a beer weekly. Remarkably, Jack never made a single mistake in his entire railway career. Jack's journey began when he assisted a paraplegic railway signalman named James Wide, also known as "Jumper" Wide. James had lost his legs in a railway accident and trained Jack to help him with his daily tasks. Over time, Jack learned to operate railway signals under supervision, demonstrating careful attention and precision. Jack the Baboon became famous for his reliability and accuracy in railway signal operation. For nine years, Jack diligently performed his duties without error, earning the respect and admiration of everyone who witnessed his work. Jack passed away in 1890, but his legacy lives on. His skull is preserved at the Albany Mu...