The Remaining Baboons of the Cape Peninsula

Cape Town's Chacma baboons -

Now under greater threat than before

November 2009

Will many of Cape Town's already endangered Chacma baboon disappear in the future? If a new protocol is carried out, and baboons are culled, the answer is yes.

Despite being called a "major asset" to Cape Town, including in terms of biodiversity and tourism, the future of around 400 baboons seems more in question than ever due to management changes and strategies implemented since July 2009.

Jenni Trethowan, manager of Baboon Matters, has been dedicated to the defense and protection of the baboons after a troop of 18 baboons was shot in 1990 by CapeNature Conservation (now CapeNature).

Although originally running the highly effective monitor program to help reduce friction between baboons and residents by herding them out of residential areas, after more than a decade of involvement, an interim contract to monitor the baboons was instead awarded to another organization in July 2009.

There were allegations about irregularities in the process of awarding the contract by the Baboon Management Team (chaired by a CapeNature representative).

When new management strategies were introduced based on scientific recommendations, the future welfare of the baboons themselves was seriously questioned by many.

Baboons have been legally protected for the last decade in the Cape Peninsula and threats to their well-being have come mainly directly from residents' violent actions against them. During this time there was little or no law enforcement to serve as a deterrent to residents, despite stiff penalties existing.

Now, however, after the new interim service provider appointment, management strategies are a major factor threatening the baboons and also threaten to strip them of their protected status.

A controversial protocol prepared using scientific recommendations and endorsement involves culling of baboons. It caused an outcry as it targets "dispersing males" (young healthy baboons) as well as "repeat raiders" for possible culling - a category many, if not most of the baboons fall into when residents repeatedly refuse to or do not effectively secure their bins and properties.

Scientific recommendations made by BRU, a baboon research unit at UCT, were presented at a baboon expert workshop in early July, hosted by the City in partnership with CapeNature.

A presentation, by head of BRU, Dr Justin O'Riain, focused on the removal of individuals and troops for various reasons, including age, gender, fission (or new troops splitting from another). The recommendations and reasons for them, have been slammed by other scientists and primatologists, as has the protocol which was presented in August. As the baboons are not permitted to be moved off the Peninsula, "removal" means, in effect, "culling".

Despite public protestations, several male baboons have been literally earmarked for this, including Bart and Sol, members of the Tokai troop which was specifically mentioned in July at the workshop presentation as having too many males.

Following the highly questionable scientific recommendations, whips were introduced to herd the baboons, supposedly as a noise deterrent, but subject to abuse, prompting objections from Cape of Good Hope SPCA CEO Allan Perrins and members of the public.

Another interim contract will be awarded starting in February. A long-term contract is to be awarded in 2010. Funding remains a critical issue, with only the City out of the three stakeholders (CapeNature and SANParks) contributing funds at this stage and 1.8 million needed for another interim contract until June 2010.

It is of note that earlier in the year prior to talk of holding the baboon expert workshop, some residents of Simonstown who wanted baboons entirely removed from the area, began claiming that baboons were becoming increasingly aggressive and posed a threat to safety and security and that the authorities needed to take action against the baboons, claims that others have disputed.

Incidents between human and baboons have predictably been food related and avoided by taking the right measures of not making food available - for residents this means bin and house security, for tourists locking car doors and not displaying food.

Baboons have not been seen as predators of man in the past, the long canines of males are given as a natural defense against their main predator, the leopard.

Some are of the opinion that baboons have been deliberately portrayed as dangerous in recent months in order to present them as a potential threat to human safety that needs to be dealt with by the authorities and a motivator for taking drastic action against them.

In the interests of the baboons, many believe not only does the protocol need to be abandoned, the baboon monitoring needs to revert to Baboon Matters which has long proven its concern for the animals' welfare, as individuals and as a whole.

Unless the right decisions and actions are taken, Cape Town's remaining Chacma baboons - for many people as much a part of Cape Town as Table Mountain itself - appear increasingly threatened.

A female baboon with baby on back, stands upright as she looks at something in a residential
area. Plans are currently underway to remove baboons from urban areas using a protocol which
targets dispersing males and repeat raiders with culling. "Repeat raiders" is a category that could
apply to most baboons, raiding unsecured properties.

Female baboon concentrates on grooming a youngster. Grooming not only removes
parasites, it is a form of social bonding.

Female baboon with youngster underbelly.

Youngster watches with interest as female digs. Note the missing limb which was amputated

after she was shot by residents and the femur shattered. Many baboons are riddled with pellets
yet few prosecutions have taken place, thereby encouraging further mistreatment of the animals
by residents.

Relationships and bonds between the baboons are strong and should it die, a female will carry
her dead infant for days.

An Alpha male and youngster together, showing the close relationship between adults and the
young. Male baboons are responsible for the protection of the young and are excellent fathers.

A baboon holds a pine cone enjoying the nutritious pine nuts.

A male baboon sits in a residential area. Young healthy males are being targeted for culling
by a controversial new protocol put in place shortly after management changes.

Female and young baby. Babies are born with black fur and pink faces and are fussed over
by troop members.

A small baboon tugs on an aloe leaf. What will his future be?

Small

A long-term contract is to be awarded in 2010 but under present and proposed management strategies Cape Town's Chacma baboons appear under greater threat than before.