The Remaining Baboons of the Cape Peninsula

Feeding the baboons may seem to be ready entertainment for the tourist.  However, both baboons and the residents who come into contact with the animals on a regular basis, pay the price. 

Feeding baboons teaches them bad habits, leading them to expect the next person carrying food is going to part with it. They may even attempt to grab it away.

When baboons acquire a taste for human food they learn it provides a quick calorie fix saving them hours of foraging time - a half loaf of brown bread is equivalent to four hours foraging.

Baboons have plenty of their own natural food. But when baboons learn that human habitat is the source of  food, they may cause damage to unsecured property in their quest to satisfy their acquired taste in food.

Just as residents need to keep their doors and windows shut to prevent baboon raids, so tourists must ensure their car doors and windows remain locked when parked amongst baboons to prevent them from entering the vehicle. Simply closing the door is not sufficient, as they can open doors.