Many tourists enjoy watching whales in False Bay or visiting the penguins at Boulders beach near Simonstown. They also enjoy walking with Cape Town's Chacma baboons, a unique and unforgettable experience, which has helped change many people's attitudes towards these often maligned animals.
Jenni Trethowan or an experienced guide takes groups of up to eight on a Walking with Baboons tour to spend time in the company of this intelligent and entertaining species of wildlife.
Jenni has received recognition and awards for her work helping save the last of the Chacma baboons living in Cape Town's mountains.
Jenni Trethowan
Photo Courtesy Baboon Matters
The tours were established to promote appreciation and respect of these animals by both residents and tourists.
Young baboons frolic in the hilly habitat, climbing trees, playing tag, nibbling on the natural vegetation. Babies ride on mom's back or underbelly and there are gentle moments as troop members groom one another or hug their youngsters. There is a well-defined social structure maintaining order within the troop, under the Alpha male's authority.
The Baboons of the Cape South Peninsula have come under threat in the past years as urban development encroaches on their natural habitat. Some are killed or injured by their human neighbours each year. There are presently around 350 left. If trends continue there may be no baboon troops here in 10 years.
Additionally, in 2009 and 2010 controversial culling protocols were introduced that are seen as bringing this small population under even greater threat. In effect the protocols, seen as biased and flawed, attempt to over-ride their legally protected status. Some of the categories targeted are raiding baboons, dispersing males and fission troops.
Tourists, tempted to feed baboons for short-term entertainment, may not realize the long-term problems arising for both baboons and residents once the animals develop a taste for human food.
If residents leave windows or doors open or fail to secure properties, baboons passing through the area may avail themselves of a quick high calorie meal, in the process sometimes making a mess or damaging property. Some residents have become frustrated into taking inappropriate and illegal action against the baboons including stoning, shooting, or poisoning the animals.
Signs prohibiting feeding of baboons are there for a reason - feeding baboons comes at cost to both baboon and resident.
So that baboons do not associate food with people, both tourists and residents should never feed a baboon. Unless disasters such as mountain fires, baboons have plenty of their own natural food.
