The Remaining Baboons of the Cape Peninsula

While their living space has decreased due to urbanization, presently the baboons are prohibited from being relocated off the Peninsula. Many believe, however, that by taking the correct measures it is possible to live in harmony with the baboons.  Though illegal to hunt or hurt baboons in the Cape Peninsula, some residents have taken action against baboons. 

In doing so, they may cause severe injuries to the animals or their excruciating deaths. Often, they may not even be aware of the extent of the suffering the animal goes through as a result of their actions.  The Alpha male shown above was beaten over the head causing damage to his ear and in a weakened state attacked by small dogs, only rescued by passersby.  In 2009 he was shot in the leg which has also resulted in damage causing him a lot of suffering and to limp and to lose his status as alpha. 

If the animal survives, injuries can result in amputation of part or all of a limb as seen in the picture top left of a female with amputated hand.  A further shooting resulted in the entire arm being removed.  Many  baboons are riddled with pellets, shot and bullets which may only be noticed and removed if and when being treated for other injuries.  Baboons have been poisoned, hit with various objects, ridden over, have dogs set on them.

When a baboon is injured, Jenni Trethowan of Baboon Matters, who over the years has tried to ease tensions between man and animal, comes to their aid, capturing them and taking them to the vet for treatment. (In 2006, Jenni suffered severe after effects after handling 3 baboons who died from suspected dieldrin poisoning.) 

In 2009, amidst allegations of a flawed process the monitoring contract was awarded away from Baboon Matters - during the first month of the new service provider the first of two controversial culling protocols was introduced.

By taking proper precautions, tensions between man and animals can be greatly reduced. From the baboon perspective the motivation for raiding houses and bins is the availability of human's food.  From the human perspective, reducing the availability of food helps reduce baboon raids.

Baboons share a taste for people's food.  A meal from a house or bin saves a baboon hours foraging on the hills and a snatched half loaf of bread becomes a favourite fast food on the run, a quick carbo-load.

Unless fires ravage the mountains, baboons generally have enough of their own natural foods available consisting of leaves, flowers, berries, worms, scorpions, insects etc.  

Baboon monitors, organized and trained by Baboon Matters, did a good job in herding baboons to forage in the hills away from residential areas, keeping them away 85% of the time.  However, the onus rests on residents to baboon-proof their properties.  

If baboons know a particular unsecured bin regularly yields its treasures, they learn to come back, spending extra time on that property. If no food is available they pass through relatively quickly.

Open doors and windows entice and invite baboons into the house. Intelligent and observant, they may be able to get through anything bigger than 8 cm, so burglar proofing should conform to this specification. They can easily scale a triple-storey residence in seconds - all that tree-climbing practice comes in useful. 

For residents who wish to leave their door open for fresh air, it is essential they install a security gate to keep the baboons out. They should not leave food visible from the outside to tempt a baboon should it look inside.  Baboons can also smell food from a distance.

A security gate helps prevent possible conflict with baboons indoors, particularly with large male baboons who may bare their teeth if they feel threatened or challenged over food.

Never try to grab food back or confront the baboon as baboons regard possession of the food confirms their rightful ownership. You would not expect to take a juicy bone away from a dog without expecting a reaction, similarly a baboon may respond in order to keep the food.

Once in the house, a way of escape should be made available for baboons. Do not attempt to corner them. Remain calm, stand back and let them exit through the nearest door or window.  Banging on metal or with pots or spraying hose water against the nearest window from the outside can also help hasten their exit. 

Baboons may come in, take some food and leave with little or no damage. Other times more of a clean-up is required. They don't mean to cause problems, but are doing what comes naturally and instinctively - seeking food. 

Troublesome incursions can be prevented with effective security measures.  However, just because security measures are in place, does not mean they are effective, they must be baboon-proof.

The sound of a falling bin, followed by barking dogs, may herald baboon arrival in the neighbourhood.  Bins are like baboon shopping trolleys. Baboons push them over on their side to see if anything spills out and if not secured tightly enough they will try and pull the contents through the gap between the lid and bin. A bin should have secure locks. Tying a bin to an upright pole will prevent the bin from being thrown down and garbage dragged through the sides of the lid.

Unprotected fruit trees or vegetable patches may also invite baboon visits, as does feeding birds or pets outdoors. Putting birdseed out will keep baboons on the property for a long time, as they pick up the seeds. A baboon is easily and humanely chased off the property using a solid jet of water from a hose pipe.

Baboons get stoned, whipped, shot at with catapults and guns, poisoned and run over.  Baboon Matters received numerous calls regarding injured baboons each year.  Some people set their dogs on them or do not restrain them from attacking the baboons. With strong family ties, baboons mourn the deaths of one of their own and a mother will cradle and carry her dead baby around for days.

Hunting or hurting the remaining baboons of the Cape Peninsula is illegal and ostensibly punishable by heavy fines if caught and prosecuted, although few prosecutions have been effected over the last 10 years since protected by law.

Baboons have been in the area for centuries but given the rate of attrition it is estimated they will not last another 10 years. (With culling protocols, they appear even more threatened.) 

Feeding of baboons is prohibited and yet many residents who resent baboon raids refuse to taken proper security precautions and are in effect feeding them.  Tourists are also prohibited from feeding baboons for their own entertainment or to obtain close-up photos.

Living in harmony with "urban baboons" means consistency in baboon-proofing property, thus not tempting them to seek human food, not allowing dogs to chase them, and not resorting to punishment as revenge or a supposed deterrent but which does nothing but cause long-term pain and disfigurement or death of the animals.

Many residents appreciate an occasional visit from the baboons walking through area roamed by preceding generations of baboons. These residents have generally taken the right measures and precautions and enjoy sharing the same space with the baboons for a while as they pass through the neighbourhood.