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IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Baboons or bureaucracy? Uproar over Cape Peninsula's suggested plan to remove 121 Baboons
A review process is under way for the proposed removal of several baboon troops from the Cape Peninsula, prompting public concern and calls for further consultation. Image: Barry Wood A major conservation controversy is brewing in the Western Cape after authorities announced plans to remove five baboon groups from the Cape Peninsula—representing approximately a quarter of the region's managed baboon population. The proposal was disclosed following the latest meeting of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT), a multi-agency task force comprising SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town. The Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG), a civic advisory body of residents' associations and conservation organisations, was also in attendance. The affected groups and their most recent recorded numbers from June 2024 are: Waterfall troop, Simon's Town – 42 baboons Seaforth troop, Simon's Town – 16 baboons CT1 troop, Constantia – 41 baboons CT2 troop, Constantia – 18 baboons Da Gama 'Creamies', Glencairn – 4 baboons Together, the groups account for 121 baboons out of an estimated 490 living on the Peninsula. According to the CPBMJTT, the proposal stems from a combination of factors: the troops' limited access to natural habitat, poor welfare conditions, and a significant increase in conflict with residents. In many cases, the baboons are heavily urbanised, injured by human interaction, or increasingly dependent on unnatural food sources. In some areas, rangers have had little success keeping the animals out of residential zones. While the decision has not been finalised, the Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation (CPCC) called the proposals 'deeply shocking', despite having anticipated such a move. 'To remove—most likely by killing—a quarter of the Cape Peninsula's managed baboon population raises serious ethical dilemmas,' said CPCC chairperson Lynda Silk. 'Our community and members are reeling at this news.' During the CPBAG meeting it was reportedly said that humane killing may result in the 'best outcomes in terms of ethics and welfare.' Other options being considered include translocation to a sanctuary or rewilding elsewhere. Final decisions are due after expert review, with feedback from CPBAG expected by mid-June. The Creamies, referred to as the Da Gama 4, are up for removal. Image: Debra Coull Further controversy surrounds a proposed shortening of the tolerance period for dispersing males, who may be euthanised if they fail to integrate into existing troops quickly. A contraception trial is also under consideration for northern subpopulations, though such programmes have not previously been used in wild baboon populations and remain socially contentious. The CPCC urged residents and stakeholders to investigate, question, and give feedback. According to the CPBMJTT, the targeted troops face ongoing welfare risks due to limited access to natural habitat and increasing reliance on urban areas. The Seaforth troop is also said to pose a threat to the endangered African Penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Meanwhile, the Cape Baboon Partnership, which took over field operations in March, continues managing ranger teams, the Baboon Hotline, and community liaison. Baboon-proof bins are expected to be rolled out by January 2026. For Jenni Trethowan of Baboon Matters, a long-time advocate for coexistence, the excuse as to why it's taken so long to have the bins rolled out is inexcusable. She criticised the authorities' failure to implement basic mitigation measures. 'After 26 years, there are still no baboon-proof bins. The new service provider says they 'underestimated how strong baboons are'—it's simply inexcusable,' she said.
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
Outrage over baboon removal plan: Activists voice concerns
Plans are afoot for the removal of several baboon troops due to limited resources and human conflict. Image: File Baboon rights activists have expressed outrage and shock at the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team's Strategic Management Plan, which proposes the removal of five splinter troops, claiming hundreds of animals could be affected. The task team last week presented the proposed action plan for the Cape Peninsula baboon, which includes the proposed removal of five splinter troops - CT1, CT2, Waterfall, Seaforth and Da Gama4, due to limited natural resources, human conflict, and poor welfare. The plan will be reviewed by experts and the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group by mid-June. Removal options include translocation, sanctuaries, humane euthanasia, or a combination. The process and outcomes will be made public. The Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation, a community engaged and representative body, said the plans would affect population numbers. 'To remove, most likely by killing, a quarter of the Cape Peninsula's managed baboon population is deeply shocking,' said conservation chairperson, Lynda Silk. "Even though we expected an announcement along these lines for some time, our community and members are reeling. "There is so much to consider in the impacts of this action and the possible alternatives. "We cannot respond fully without giving this time to investigate, to feel and to consider deeply.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The conservation said approximately 120 of the 490 baboons on the Cape Peninsula could possibly be killed. 'There are a lot of questions and serious ethical dilemmas that this raises and need to be seriously investigated. The details of how these approximately 120 baboons in total will practically be 'removed' are still to be confirmed. They might go to a sanctuary or they may be killed. 'One can imagine that whether baboons will be killed or relocated to an enclosed sanctuary, the practicality of removing them will be extremely complex. "Baboons are intelligent, and often difficult to trap or dart even in single numbers. "We have watched vets attempting to dart a single baboon and having to give up and walk away when time ran out. "How will those involved manage to capture or to kill a full troop of more than 40 baboons (Waterfall and CT1) in one go?" Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. The organisation said the plan would have a ripple effect. 'We expect to see an increasing number of people breaking the law in attempts to harm baboons as it seems authorities give up on them, and we're also expecting to see others breaking the law in desperate attempts to save baboons." The task team said the welfare of the Cape Peninsula baboon troops has severely regressed in the past three years, while the population increased, putting pressure on available resources. 'It is proposed that five splinter troops be removed from the Cape Peninsula as these troops have limited access to low-lying natural land with plants of high nutritional value for foraging; the low-lying areas are too small to sustain them; rangers have very little success in keeping the baboons out of the urban areas leading to an over-reliance on aversion techniques; the health and welfare of the troops are severely compromised; and escalating conflict between baboons and residents is being recorded," they said. Cape Argus
IOL News
24-04-2025
- IOL News
Private investigator hired to find Simon's Town baboon killers
Well-loved Simon's Town baboon, 'Blondie', was found dead along Palace Hill Road. Image: Supplied In just over a week, two baboons have been shot and killed in Simon's Town by unknown persons, leading the Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation (CPCC) to engage a private investigator to assist in finding the perpetrators. The first incident took place on April 5 in Palace Hill Road, where well-loved baboon, dubbed 'Blondie', was found dead with a wound believed to have been made by a bullet from a firearm. On April 13, in Dolphin Way, Simon's Kloof, another baboon was found fatally shot. Lynda Silk, chairperson of CPCC, a non-profit organisation, said they have enlisted the assistance of a private investigator. 'CPCC is deeply saddened and disturbed by the recent deaths of two adult male baboons in Simon's Town," she said. 'It is extremely disturbing that in an elite suburb residents might hold themselves above the law and take the life of a baboon. 'It is illegal to discharge a firearm or air gun in a built-up area, and it is a criminal offence to hunt or harm baboons. "Despite this, there is growing public frustration at the apparent lack of accountability in cases of deliberate baboon killings. "In response, CPCC has engaged a qualified, ethical private investigator to assist authorities in identifying, investigating and prosecuting those responsible. "Our intention is to be a support to authorities in this regard and to work in collaboration. "We urge members of the public to come forward with any information, especially CCTV footage or eyewitness accounts. Any tips, no matter how small, could help bring justice to these cruel killings.' CPCC said they had been following Blondie's journey along coastal communities such as Fish Hoek, Simon's Town, Kalk Bay and Clovelly, to Elsie's Peak and Glencairn. Silk said a person found guilty of hunting baboons can be fined up to R80 000 or imprisonment for up to two years, or both. Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said: 'This office can confirm that a Facebook article was made by Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation, that a dispersing male baboon in Simon's Town was allegedly shot at Palace Hill Road on April 5 at approximately 8:30am. The baboon was taken for necropsy. The outcome is not yet reported to Simon's Town SAPS, therefore no case of cruelty to animals was registered, since no report was made by Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation.' The Cape Baboon Partnership said they could confirm both incidents and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. 'It is with regret that The Cape Baboon Partnership can confirm that a male baboon (WF13) from the Waterfall troop was found deceased on Dolphin Way in Simon's Kloof on Sunday April 3,' they said. 'The initial examination indicates that he was shot through the chest, most likely with a high powered air rifle. "This comes just one week after the death of TK66 who died in a similar manner on Palace Hill Road in Simon's Town." They added that a private veterinarian has been tasked with carrying out the postmortem on WF13 and will inform the public as soon as they have further information to share. They said the post mortem investigation for TK66 revealed that the cause of death was a pellet from a high powered air rifle. 'The pellet passed through his chest causing bleeding into both lung cavities. His death was not immediate but it is estimated that he will have passed away within a few minutes of being shot,' they detailed. Belinda Abraham, Cape of Good Hope SPCA said: "We are aware of both incidents. Shark Spotters are facilitating the post mortems and we are awaiting the outcomes which will help us understand whether the baboons were killed instantaneously and if not, the degree of suffering prior to their death. Even with evidentiary proof of suffering, the SPCA will need eyewitnesses to come forward with reports that could help us identify a perpetrator. Callers may remain anonymous. Please email inspectorate@ or make a report online via our report cruelty reporting form Cape Argus
