Baboon rescuer dies in fire

Published Jul 28, 2012

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Limpopo - An official with a South African baboon sanctuary says conservationist Rita Miljo has died in a fire that destroyed much of the headquarters of the sanctuary she helped found. She was 81.

Karl Pierce, a director with the Centre for Animal Rehabilitation & Education, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Miljo died in the apartment she lived in above the sanctuary's clinic. Pierce said that the first baboon she rescued, named Bobby, and two others died with her in the fire that broke out Friday night at the center in South Africa's Limpopo province.

Pierce said the fire consumed the clinic, offices and a house there on the property. No one else was injured in the fire, which remains under investigation. - Sapa-AP

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