The CT2 Troop of Constantia Management Overview

The CT2 Troop of Constantia Management Overview

Management Overview and Funding Appeal

Holly and her young daughter Cheeky. Holly has suffered an injury to her face that is consistent with a bullet entry.

MANAGEMENT OF CT2 TROOP CONSTANTIA

History

The City of Cape Town has paid service providers to manage 11 troops of baboons for the past 14 years;  the CT2 troop of Constantia troops was always included as one of the managed troops.  In 2021 the CT2 troop started to expand their home range from the Vlakkenberg range into Cecelia Forest, a move that had been anticipated by the specialist researchers who advise the CoCT on the management of the baboons.  The service provider working at that time made provisions for rangers to continue managing the troop. However, in April 2022 the CoCT withdrew rangers from the troop stating that they did not manage baboons “in that area” and that the rangers were not successful in that terrain.

Map supplied by CoCT at a public meeting. The map indicates CT2 movements with CoCT rangers and illustrates that the troop was included in management plans and budgets – why the service was withdrawn is not clear.

With no rangers to mitigate conflicts and keep both baboons and residents safe, the troop was left to their own devices and started to obtain easily available foods from human-occupied space, including homes.  Residents were unprepared for the ongoing incursions of baboons into their homes and properties (most residents have 3 or 4 garbage bins that are often full of organic waste, as well as prolific fruit and vegetable gardens) and as a result of fear and frustration started “taking matters into their own hands”; people started using paintball guns, pellet guns and high calibre weapons against the baboons. (One baboon was shot and died, one was knocked over by a vehicle, one disappeared and several have what appear to be bullet or pellet injuries). Community intervention.Members of the Tokai Baboon Action Group and Baboon Watch WC started daily shifts whereby they stood guard to warn motorists of the nearby baboons, this was in an effort to prevent a serious traffic accident as the baboons were continually running back and forth across the very busy, winding roads of Rhodes Drive, Constantia Nek and Southern Cross Drive.In addition to their own efforts on the roads, Baboon Watch WC and Tokai Baboon Action Group also raised money for two previously unemployed men to assist with alerting traffic to the presence of the baboons and the men provided much-needed support. The volunteers were amazing and covered daylight hours, in all weather conditions, for over six months; however, the continual stress of baboons in danger on the roads, being shot at, injured and killed was overwhelming and so Baboon Matters offered help to see if we could fund monitors to keep the troop off the roads and out of houses whilst the authorities resolved long outstanding issues. Our first team of monitors came from the local community and were all employed as baboon rangers at a nearby vineyard; they were working with the CT2 troop on days off to supplement their income. Their knowledge of baboons and the area was invaluable but it proved impossible to work in two high-energy jobs at the same time. 

Baboon Matters then brought in our most experienced ranger, Mzukisi Nkewu, to work with Benson Chipasula (who had gained experience working with the TBAG) to set up two teams of monitors. Our monitors do not use paintball guns or aversion tools but rely on understanding the baboons and strategizing how best to redirect the troop to areas where they will have plenty of food and water and will be safe from traffic and shooters. Success of this interim project:There is no doubt that since these two teams started in December 2022, the number of incursions into homes has dropped significantly with only two known home entries in this time frame; this is a marked difference from the time prior to our teams when residents were reporting daily home incursions, high levels of frustration and damage to property, apart from the loss of life and injuries to the baboons. The baboons do continue to traverse properties to get from areas such as De Hel across Rhodes Drive and into Cecelia Forest, and they do utilize the copious fruits grown in this area, including the grapes on the Constantia Glen vineyards; however, they are under the constant supervision of the monitor teams and when they cross the busy roads the monitors provide clear warnings to the traffic.  We are aware that (at least) 5 residents continue to shoot at the baboons so all necessary affidavits, reports and chargers have been laid with SA Police and relevant authorities. The combined efforts of all groups (TBAGBaboon Watch WCBaboons of the South and Baboon Matters Trust) have created a high level of awareness for the project and we have funded radios, basic uniforms and awareness equipment (flags and reflective vests). Baboon Watch WC has started a WhatsApp Alert Group so that residents know where the baboons are and can be prepared in the event the baboons do come onto their property; more residents are now allowing the teams onto their private property so that the monitors can effectively redirect the baboons back into Cecelia Forest or the green belt areas. We have had meetings with numerous landowners and there is now a far better level of cooperation and understanding; some landowners have worked with the volunteers to cut back access points to prevent the baboons from entering specific areas and a local vineyard has worked with the teams to allow the monitors onto the vineyards to quickly and effectively get the baboons back into either De Hel or Cecelia Forest.

Help the CT2 monitor troop!
EVERY donation you make keeps the men on duty and look after the baboons.

On-going concerns:Our fundraising drives have provided less than a  third of the required running costs and over the past six months, Baboon Matters has been able to cover the remaining costs but is not in a position to continue funding what was intended to be an interim project while the authorities resolve their combined Strategic Management Plan. We note that when the CoCT recently extended the current baboon management project, management of the CT2 was not included in that budget.   Baboon Matters and Baboons of the South had a subsequent meeting with the Mayoral heads of staff about this (and other) issue(s), but at this stage, there is no commitment from the CoCT to provide funding for the CT2 teams.  We are concerned about the reasoning behind this decision and worried about the implications for the troop if they are not managed. Potential development:The project desperately needs a project manager and we would like to appoint Andile Nazo to this position where we believe he would excel. Establishing a new home range for CT2We would love to have additional resources and manpower so that we can work longer hours to try and establish security for the troop within a new home range and we believe that Orange Kloof could provide a potential new range for the troop. Efforts in this direction are often thwarted by the very high levels of activity on the mountain paths especially over the weekends and holidays when there are a lot of dog walkers enjoying the natural area; to establish awareness and cooperation we have reached out to hiking groups and the dog walkers association and have made educational pamphlets and signage, our intention being to find an agreeable way for dogs and walkers to enjoy the mountain but not impact negatively on the baboons. When they were in season, the attraction of the grapes in the vineyards also exacerbated efforts to keep the troops in the Orange Kloof or Cecelia Forest, but the monitors continued to effectively redirect the troop across the roads without incident.    We believe that with additional resources the troop would stay in the Orange Kloof area long enough for them to feel secure in the largely unknown terrain and that if they remain there for extended periods the vegetation and water availability should provide ample forage for this small troop.

Map of indicating safe areas for the CT2 troop

5th February 2023, Holly appeared weak and listless, we were concerned for her survival. But after monitoring her closely we realised there was no reason to intervene and left Holly to the careful ministrations of her daughter, Cheeky.

We currently have two teams, each team comprising three experienced men on duty daily.  The teams work from 07.00 – 18.00 (this changed in winter months) in a rolling shift so that they are not working overtime. Ideally, we would love an extra person on each team and at least one hour of overtime per team daily. Our daily costs are R1050 for the monitors (R350 p.day per person) and R400 for transport, making a total of R1450 per day or R43 500pm on a 30-day month.

Overview of Successes

  • House incursions have been reduced from an almost daily occurrence to just two incidents in the six month period our monitors have been working.
  • In separate events the monitors found stolen property on the mountain and have also apprehended a known criminal, leading to his arrest.
  • There have been no fatalities from road incidents.
  • Habitual shooters have been reported and affidavits handed over to the police; the general public as well as baboons are at risk when residents use high powered weapons to randomly fire at baboons.
  • We hope for a prosecution in the incident whereby monitors were denied access to a property (to safely and efficiently redirect the troop) and instead a young baboon was shot and subsequently euthanised as a result of the shooting.
  • The troop is spending more and more time in Cecelia Forest and Orange Kloof and we are pleased to note that this week they roosted in Cecelia Forest on three consecutive nights, this is an important breakthrough in the management.
  • Community liaison is rapidly improving, although funding remains low.
Consequences of ending the project due to lack of funding.It would be tragic if this initiative comes to an end at the end of June due to lack of funding;
  • seven worthwhile, experienced and hard working men will lose their income
  • there will be a sharp increase in the numbers of baboons injured or killed by either intolerant residents who use high powered weapons to shoot at the baboons and in particular the three newly born baboons would be at high risk on the roads.
  • the risk of injury to a member of the public when residents randomly shoot high powered weapons at baboons.
  • the probability of a serious road accident if a speeding motorist swerves to miss a baboon cannot be overlooked
  • damage to property will increase
  • frustrated residents will once again take use all media platforms to call for the CoCT and partners of the Joint Task Team to provide management – or remove the troop
In addition to the obvious consequences listed above, it would be an irrevocably lost opportunity if the hard ground work established by the teams, in introducing the troop to a new home range, is not continued to fruition. The methods employed by our teams illustrate that it is possible to run successful management without relying on pain or aggression tactics and it really would be a great shame to lose this opportunity to relook at baboon management strategies through this pilot project.

Conclusion.There can be no doubt that a troop of baboons left to wander the busy, winding roads and suburbs without any form of management will result in high levels of stress and conflict resulting from fear and from damage to properties residents experience; the elevated stresses inevitably results in injury or loss of life to the baboons.  It is essential that the CT2 troop is allocated project funding as one of the eleven managed troops, as they have been since the inception of baboon management.  I hope that immediate emergency funding will be made available from the CoCT and TMNP so that the troop is effectively and ethically managed whilst the transition period and new management plan is resolved. We hope that the Joint Task Team currently working on the SMP will take note of the necessity to provide effective, well-trained monitors who do not need to use aggressive methods or pain aversion to redirect baboons away from areas where there may be conflict. Baboon Matters cannot continue to fund this work but the project is too important to be allowed to end as it proves daily that non-aggressive management is not only possible but is successful.  The project is also illustrating the possibility of establishing habituated troops in new viable home ranges. This pilot project is a success story that the City of Cape Town should embrace and uphold, and the high levels of awareness for the troop and monitors will add positive value to the ongoing funder(s) of this project. We will continue to explore all avenues to raise funds for this vital project noting that we are providing employment for deserving men who have shown an exceptional willingness to work with the baboons. 

Funding SOS! 

Please consider making a donation to enable us to continue  our monitors work for baboons in crisis! Click the link below to head to our Global Giving donations page!

EFT: Bank Details: Baboon Matters TrustStandard Bank Blue RouteAccount: 2700 400 80

October Newsletter 2022

October Newsletter 2022

Help Baboon Matters help baboons!

It is amazing to think that we are almost three-quarters of the way through 2022 and with people already making end-of-year plans I thought it was high time to get our newsletter out. What an incredibly busy and bizarre year this has been, quite surreal in many respects as the City of Cape unilaterally, and unexpectedly, announced that as of June 2023 there will be no more rangers managing the 11 urban baboon troops.But let’s start at the beginning of the year:

TRAGEDY FOR ARABELLA TROOP

Kleinmond fire and Arabella baboons2022 started with the horrific Kleinmond fires which started in an old pine plantation owned by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment. The fire swept across the mountains destroying 5400 hectares of vegetation and devastating the home range of the Arabella troop. Concerns were expressed about the safety of the troop who were initially reported to be coping, but when photographer Michael Green spotted badly burned female dragging herself across the road, we went back to find the troop and check for ourselves.What we found was heartbreaking as between 9–13 baboons had badly burnt hands and feet. Baboon Matters worked closely with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, Sunel Visser (of Kleinmond) Gerda Wilkins and Liz Potgieter (of Pringle Bay). The hard-working and energetic Greyton Baboon Monitors provided invaluable help and those fit young men covered many, many kilometres of tough terrain in extreme weather conditions trying to find the injured animals.The story of the Arabella troop does need to be told in more detail, but for this newsletter, I will summarize by saying that we managed to capture only one young female with badly burnt hands; Kelly was treated at the CGHSPCA and successfully released back to her troop. As to the other badly (critically) injured baboons, we never saw them again… There were no traces of their bodies, nor of recovering baboons; one afternoon they were in the area and the next morning, they were gone never to be seen again. We have searched the area minutely for any clues but to date, the disappearance of the burnt Arabella baboon remains an unsolved mystery.

MANAGEMENT OF THE BABOON HUMAN INTERFACE

City of Cape Town terminates the Urban Baboon Project

On the 8th of April 2022, video footage taken at a CoCT biodiversity meeting went viral as media liaison spokesperson Kay Montgomery announced that the “activists had won” and that the City of Cape Town was terminating the baboon ranger project. The bombshell created immediate concern and chaos as the service provider was informed that their contract would not be renewed at the end of June 2023 and residents were made aware of the proposed changes through media press releases by Alderman Eddie Andrews. For the first time in many years, a national minister of the environment decided to step in to resolve the years-old baboon debate; Minister Barbra Creecy hosted a public meeting and instructed SANParks to sort the problem out.The three decision-makers (City of Cape TownSANParks and Cape Nature) have been unable to resolve their legal mandates and responsibilities since the park was proclaimed in 1998. However, on instruction from Minister Creecy, they duly reformed a new task team and are apparently working on terms of reference, strategic management plans etc.While the authorities are working behind closed doors on resolving their issues (which should have been sorted out after a high court judgement handed down in 2015) the CoCT engaged with residents through a series of area-specific zoom meetings.As the meetings progressed over July through to September, it became increasingly clear that the CoCT is expecting residents themselves to take “ownership” of the baboon-related issues – if residents want effective baboon-proof fences, it seems that residents will have to pay for installation and maintenance of those fences. Likewise with rangers, if residents want rangers, at this stage it seems as if they will have to pay for them.From discussions at the meetings, it may be that the only thing the CoCT will provide is baboon-proof bins (sometime in 2023/24) as well as advice as to how residents should baboon-proof homes and businesses.

As the CoCT engaged with its rate base, the real crux of the issues appeared to centre on who is actually responsible for the baboons, and who should pay for baboon-proof fences to keep the baboons in the Table Mountain National Park? Who will maintain the fences? There are many questions that need answers but only the CoCT and Cape Nature were present in the meetings; SANParks and TMNP are maintaining a very low profile.On the issue of their responsibilities, Cape Nature is clear they are responsible only for permits to relocate, move or kill baboons, but recently stated that those decisions will now be made jointly with the CoCT… 

As there is no clarity at all in regards to future management of the baboon human interface, we will have to wait for the draft Strategic Management Plan, which may be available for public input towards the end of November, just in time for the year-end break. This means that any potential discussion and workshops would only start again in the new year and with the end of June as the proposed cut-off date to stop the ranger’s services, you can understand why we are so concerned.

While the authorities attempt to sort out their differences of opinion, I sincerely hope that they are ALL paying careful heed to the plight of the CT2 troop of Constantia. The troop were effectively abandoned by the CoCT when they removed rangers from the troop, effectively leaving them to wander the streets of Constantia on their own (the CoCT quoted very dubious reasons for the terrible decision-making).

The CT2 troop is providing an insightful illustration as to what will happen if the CoCT does proceed with plans to abandon the ranger project without strategic baboon-proof fences, waste management etc. in place. Without appropriate management and management structures in place baboons suffer injury and awful deaths and residents suffer damage to property; simply put there are no winners in that scenario only chaos.

Collectively, all resident groups and stakeholders are unanimous on the fact that the CoCT cannot simply terminate the ranger project at the end of June 2023, at the very least there must be a practical transition period of 3–5 years so that adequate baboon proofing (including strategic baboon proof electric fences) is in place and if residents have decided to form SpecialRating Areas to pay for future services those can be in place too.

 

An important part of future baboon management will be the inclusion of an ethics committee to help evaluate management decisions and we thank Dr Elisa Galgut for putting forward this long overdue addition to the management discussions.Baboon Matters has participated intensively in not only the CoCT zoom meetings, but also the preparatory meetings with our colleagues and stakeholders as well as in panel discussions hosted by Simons Town Civic Association. It is astonishing to note, however, that despite numerous requests to meet with the Mayor and Alderman Andrews to help resolve the contentious management of the baboon human interface, Mayor Hill-Lewis and Ald Andrews have, so far, ignored all requests to meet with BM.It is very clear, that unless the authorities resolve the long outstanding issues of accountability and legal responsibility for baboons, we (the residents and stakeholders) will be going around and around the same old problems that have confounded baboon management for the past 20 years for another 20 years – providing angry residents have not killed the closed population of baboons.

BABOON WELFARE

In 2021 Baboon Matters launched our Emergency Rescue Pack initiative to supply essential equipment to assist in circumstances where wildlife has been injured and in need of veterinary care. Innovative engineer Marco Pasanisi designed and produced our first trap cage, which we then gifted to the Wildlife Unit of the CGHSPCA. The trap cage has proved invaluable to the CGHSPCA and they have been able to assist many injured baboons by getting them appropriate veterinary help urgently needed.THANKS to your support, we have just ordered our next 5 trap cages and will be also purchasing equipment such as plunge syringes, control poles etc. so that injured wildlife can be quickly and safely contained until they can get veterinary care. The trap cages will be deployed to areas in the Western Cape after organisations and individuals have undergone training course on how to assess injuries and how to use the equipment we will provide.

 

REHABILITATION CENTERS

Baboon Matters has continued to support the incredible work undertaken by the hardworking groups who rescue our many orphaned and injured baboons across SA. This year we have assisted Prime Crew with food and running costs as they worked exceptionally hard (and under huge pressure) to successfully release two troops into a wonderful natural area where they will be wild baboons for the rest of their days. Well done to Luzanne, Kimmy and the entire Prime Crew team, you have achieved your goals for these baboons and you must be super proud of this result!We have recently also helped out at Stormberg as we covered the transport costs and veterinary bills for two young baboons both of whom lost their mothers here in Cape Town (one baboon mom was killed by dogs and the other mom thought to have been electrocuted). Both youngsters are doing very well at Stormberg and we thank Lana, Dup and Karen for all their care.In 2020 we were able to direct essential funds to cover some of the food costs to CARE, as BM tries to assist the rehab centers where we can. I would like to pay a special thanks to Stephen Munroe of CARE who is such a help to me – providing essential insight and advice when baboons have been injured.

 

Education and Outreach

Baboon Matters has always put a great deal of time and effort into education and outreach, our social media has been extremely successful with over 66000 followers on Facebook and in some months, our content has been exposed and reached nearly a million people–quite astonishing! We have a rapidly growing support base on Instagram, where we have more than doubled our followers in the past few months and now have 3600 people following BM. In the coming months, we plan to launch a series of podcasts and we believe these will be entertaining as well as educational, so I hope you sign up for the podcasts when we go on air! Baboon Matters has often collaborated with well-known artist Chip Snaddon and we were absolutely thrilled with Chip’s wonderful designs for posters we had made for the busy holiday season in Simons Town over December and January 2021. The posters will be used again and we hope to grow the campaign in other areas.

 

This year I was delighted when a concerned Tokai resident had beautiful boards and flyers designed and printed. We thank our anonymous friend for all her hard work, this collaborative effort meant that BM simply covered some of the printing costs in order to get the effective signage and flyers to key points.

In our efforts, to encourage the Greyton Baboon Monitor project we helped the team get their first newsletter together and I thank the Cape Creative Collective for their help and creative inputs with both the newsletter and “postcard”.The Greyton team are such hardworking men and they were delighted to see their first newsletter printed. Thanks so much to Lance of Greytprint for his help with the artwork and the great print.

IN MEMORIAM

I am always so very sorry our baboons are tragically killed, this year was especially hard to lose such wonderful characters such Crookie-Mary (of Da Gama) troop who was torn apart by dogs, the loss of Julius (of Plateau Road troop) who was killed by a professional hunter on orders of the landowner and the awful, unresolved, circumstances of Brutus (of Bettys Bay troop) who was shot at close range. In addition to being killed by dogs or run over by cars, too many baboons are killed by intolerant residents and we ask all readers to please report shootings to the relevant authorities (all details on the flyer above.)The entire community of baboon colleagues was deeply saddened by the death of staunch baboon warrior Lorna Thomas (of Welcome Glen) and of primate academics Judith Masters and Fabien Genin. May they Rest in Peace.

ON-GOING SUPPORT

Baboon Matters is entirely dependent upon the financial support of the public and I thank you all for signing up for MySchool Card (please remember to swipe your card when you shop!) and to all of you who make contributions to the very hard work put into support other groups and always working towards the goals of better management of the baboon/human interface–and saving our baboons.Thank you for your ongoing support.

Bank Details: Baboon Matters TrustStandard Bank Blue RouteAccount: 2700 400 80

BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter February 2021

BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter February 2021

Help Baboon Matters help baboons!

Did you know that your donation to Baboon Matters is Tax Deductable?
Donate now before the financial year end and we will send you a Section 18a Receipt for your tax deductions!

Looking Back and Looking Forward

The year has gotten off to a hectic start with Covid regulations and concerns about Kataza dominating our media and thoughts, but now that Kataza is at Riverside it is time to refocus our attention.

Please note that I am reporting on Baboon Matters related work and not every aspect of work undertaken by role players in the past months.

Baboon Matters has raised concerns and objections to the management guidelines and protocols since they were implemented in 2010. As a result of these disagreements and objections to lack of veterinary care for injured baboons, we were cut out of all management decisions and meetings

In 2019 Baboon Matters and Baboons of the South wrote a memorandum detailing areas of concern relating to management protocols and guidelines which need to be addressed through a review and revision process. The memorandum was endorsed by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum SA and submitted to all the role players on the Baboon Technical Team. Our memorandum was summarily dismissed, but I addressed points raised and resubmitted the memorandum to relevant heads of the various organizations. Cape Nature was the only organization to respond, although the response was disappointingly off track.

We did not give up.

Bettys Bay Baboon Action Group joined the WAPFSA and we redirected our memoranda to Minister Bredell.

Whilst this was happening, Kataza was moved and so we started specific liaison with the City of Cape Town.

Working with Global Giving, we will be doing another fund-matching campaign on March 6th to the 12th! All donations during that time will be matched by Global Giving. Please DONATE HERE

In August BM and BoTS, together with Bradley Thorsen, met with Alderman Felicity Purchase with clear reasons why Kataza should not have been moved, and why he should be returned. At this meeting Ald. Purchase stated that the by-laws for baboon affected areas were almost ready for the public participation process and answered our questions regarding the time-lines saying we would see the by-laws within a month.
Our meeting was followed up with numerous emails and data to all relevant decision makers.

In support of our efforts, SAFCEI wrote to the Mayor Plato and requested all relevant documentation whilst IWAF voiced their concerns about baboon management. International icons Dr. Jane Goodall and Sir David Attenborough condemned the use of aggressive and lethal methods of management of baboons.

In September BoTS, BM and Bradley Thorsen met with Mayor Plato and again offered clarity and solutions and suggested the formation of a neutral task team to resolve long outstanding issues relating to baboon management.

Help our baboons by helping us. For EVERY donation you make, we can keep our doors open and effect the changes the baboons need.

Working with Global Giving, we will be doing another fund-matching campaign on March 6th to the 12th! All donations during that time will be matched by Global Giving.

Please DONATE HERE

In September 2020, Minister Bredell responded to the our request and instructed Cape Nature to host the workshop, on 13 November the initial meeting was held at Cape Nature offices, in preparation for a workshop in 2021.

In October CWAF’s Karen de Klerk arranged a meeting with the Mayor, Mayco, CAWF, CGHSPCA, BM and BoTS and at that meeting the Mayor directed Alderman Nieuwoudt to start a task team to resolve baboon management related issues.

In November the CoCT settled the court action initiated by Ryno Engelbrecht and Kataza was returned to his home range!

In December it was clear Kataza was not settling with a troop and BM raised funds for 4 additional rangers to be employed by service provider NCC, the intention being to try and keep Kataza out of the urban areas and easy food rewards so that he would have a greater chance of integrating with a troop.

In January the CGHSPCA made an application to Cape Nature for Kataza to be relocated to Riverside Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Limpopo, a permit was issued and Kataza was moved.

Although Kataza ensnared our attention and hearts, Baboon Matters has never stopped work, lobbying and advocating for the bigger picture issues but some of the projects we had planned for 2020 did not get off the ground, so I am starting 2021 with the goal of raising funds for these projects as these are specific issues that I believe need urgent attention.

T-Shirts and Funding Appeal

Our super cool 100% cotton T-shirts and vests are your must have summer accessory! What a fab way to support Baboon Matters – and look good too!

Order Now:   https://products.baboonmatters.org.za/

I am going to list a few of the smaller projects here, but will be detailing a longer term plan in coming weeks!

CARE PACKAGES

This is an issue very close to my heart. All too often injured baboons (and many other wildlife) do not get necessary veterinary care or attention simply because there is a lack of appropriate equipment. Few vets or welfare organisations have appropriate trap cages, let alone dart guns, blow dart or any method to contain an injured baboon ( or an otter, bokkie or caracal) until the injured animal can be assessed and treated accordingly by a vet. We would like to raise sufficient funds to ensure that various groups are properly equipped and trained to catch and contain injured wildlife for veterinary attention. We will be working closely with expert Brett Glasby and will shortly make available a full break down of costs and all project details.

Prevention of electrocution

Far too many baboons continue to be killed or badly burnt on power lines or transformer boxes. Baboon Matters will be working with a private supplier to install boxes that will prevent further injury or loss of life from horrifying electrocutions.

Signage and education

Although we all acknowledge the desperate need for on-going, updated education and appropriate signage, it is extremely difficult to get the relevant land owners to fulfill this role. If we have funds to create and produce material, we will be able to reach a wide audience and work to get signage up at hot spots. We would love to produce more of our very popular educational videos and will be looking for sponsorship for this work.

Water Points

The Cape peninsula is a water scarce province, and with ever encroaching urbanization and land use, many historically available water sources are no longer available to baboons or are on land not easily accessible to the managed troops due to restrictions such as busy roads, social impacts etc…
We will be liaising closely with the relevant authorities and the service provider to see how this issue can best be addressed.

I have listed just a few of the immediate projects that we would love to complete this year, this will be in addition to our on-going work on advocacy and lobbying to change the management protocols and guidelines.

I hope that you will continue to support Baboon Matters and I look forward to telling you more about our projects in coming weeks!

 

Jenni

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BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter November 2020

BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter November 2020

#BringKatazaBack

 

We did it! 

Each and every one of you who emailed, telephoned, signed petitions, posted on social media,
protested, lobbied and litigated –
WE ALL WORKED TOGETHER and  #BroughtKatazaBack

“You don’t need to watch television, you have the
baboon channel to watch. ”

Pete Oxford, November 2020

How right Pete is! The drama of baboon management has played out in all media over this year but escalated incredibly with the ‘Katazagate’ scenario! Who would have thought that Kataza would become the most famous baboon in the world? He has been become a social-media star, a twitter trend, been seen on news features and press internationally and nationally and is known by everyone no matter where he goes.

We have watched with degrees of concern, sadness and despair as this male baboon struggled to come to terms with having been uprooted from Kommetjie and set down in Tokai to find a new troop. Our frustration and anger at the lack of transparency and lack of action from decision makers was rife and inspired animal rights activist Ryno Engelbrecht to start legal action.  We protested and petitioned and far from public attention dying down, as the CoCT had hoped, interest in Kataza has always escalated and never waned.

 

Katazagate in a nutshell.

Kataza is one of two adult male baboons of the Slangkop troop who were moved back into the Kommetjie home-range in January 2020 after rangers had been held up and robbed whilst on duty in the Ocean View range.
Moving the troop back to Kommetjie illustrated on-going and underlying management problems such as poor communication, minimal education, little community involvement and no baboon proof bins – which should be provided by CoCT Solid Waste Dept.

There is no water on the Slangkop range in the hot, dry summer months and TMNP had not allowed any water provisioning sites so the troop started coming in to Kommetjie, essentially for water, but  they quickly rediscovered “hot-spot” areas where they could access rich rewards of food found in bins or inappropriately thrown away – such as household waste being dumped into green bins designated for pedestrian use.

The entire troop utilized the easy food rewards obtained in Kommetjie, no single baboon was seen to be a more excessive opportunist than any other baboon.  The troop all arrived together and were normally herded out of the village together, there are always a few stragglers but residents did not notice any factions or splitting within the troop.

In the ensuing months, residents complained about the excessive use of paintballs on the baboons and noted how the troop scattered all over the village as a result of the aggressive management.

The Slangkop troop arriving back in Kommetjie was almost immediately followed by the global Covid pandemic and national lockdown and it seems that the timing of baboons in the village, along with national stress and concerns about income, health and safety all combined into one simmering mess of tension. Baboons were injured by dogs, shot at by pellets and high velocity paintball guns – but continued to come into the village and even started sleeping in Kommetjie overnight.The Slangkop troop arriving back in Kommetjie was almost immediately followed by the global Covid pandemic and national lockdown and it seems that the timing of baboons in the village, along with national stress and concerns about income, health and safety all combined into one simmering mess of tension. Baboons were injured by dogs, shot at by pellets and high velocity paintball guns – but continued to come into the village and even started sleeping in Kommetjie overnight. 

Setting the records straight

Local resident Bradley Thorsen collated data from the daily WhatsApp groups where sightings of baboons in the village are reported and noted discrepancies in the management reports, specifically with the times recorded for baboons being in the village.  His expressed concerns were dismissed by the service provider as being “irrelevant” nonetheless his accurate data was able to prove when baboons had been in the village and if any baboon had accrued more misdemeanors than any other baboon. Thank you Bradley for keeping the records!

Towards the end of August I noticed that Kataza was not with his troop, at first I thought that perhaps I had just missed seeing the big lad, but I asked Bradley and Susan Litten (our Kommetjie Councilor Appointed Rep – Baboons South) to help me check. Over the next few days none of us could find Kataza.  Susan queried his disappearance and we were told that Kataza had been “relocated” to Tokai – the reasons being that he was “splitting the troop”, that he was inbreeding as he should have dispersed and that he was the deemed to have the worst “raiding record”.

As this poor decision came to light baboon experts of UCT were quick to defend the Baboon Technical Team – Esme Beamish (independent researcher – ICWild) was reported as noting that Kataza was not seen consorting with the females when she completed her annual counts of the troop over a few months in 2020.  Justin O’Riain (ICWild) noted that Kataza could not possibly have offspring, or that off spring would have been in utero.  It was confusing to hear reports that:

  1. Kataza was not consorting with females of his troop, yet it was claimed that Kataza was leading a splinter group of low ranking females; perhaps this was the first platonic splinter troop in baboon history?
  2. Kataza was inbreeding yet is was also claimed that
    • Kataza had no offspring
    • George (remaining adult male of the troop) killed 5 infants (as males sometimes do commit infanticide when there is a change in dominance). So George thought Kataza had babies? A bad mistake George?
  3. Kataza was a “problem raiding baboon” 
    • He was not proven to be any worse than any other baboon of this habitually opportunistic raiding troop.


But despite what we, collectively, thought about the decision making or the outcome, the CoCT proved to be intractable and simply refused to answer emails, or engage to resolve the issue…. Kataza gained celebrity status as he went in and out of Pollsmoor Prison and the American Embassy while the CoCT gained notoriety status for doing nothing.

 

#Bring Kataza Back – #We brought Kataza back!

Here is an overview of all the actions that took place to save Kataza:

  • Baboon Matters,Baboons of the South and Bradley Thorsen immediately engaged with our councillor to find an immediate solution to the situation.
    • We then had out first meeting with Mayor Plato who was urged to set up a task team and resolve the matter expediently.
  • BoTS and BM met with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.
  • A group of quietly determined women formed themselves into a cohesive group taking shifts to ensure Kataza’s safety as he traversed the busy roads of suburbia.
    • The women became known as the Angels as they undertook to keep Kataza alive whilst his future was negotiated.
      • In understanding why the Angels took this action, it must be noted that the last baboon male to be relocated to Tokai was Dodger, and he lasted only 10 days before he was killed for BTTG3 offences.
    • The Angels worked for over 85 days from dawn to dusk and not only kept Kataza alive but they also informed residents, dog walkers and pedestrians about “the baboon in the hood”. They took the opportunity to engage with local children and taught them about baboons.  
    • The Angels continued with this task despite some very aggressive attacks from the previous service management who did not want Kataza watched.  The ladies were filmed and accused of feeding, herding and chasing Kataza – preventing him from integrating was a common slight.
    • I did my shifts in the field alongside the Angels, had many meetings with them to hear their views, give advice and help plan the best outcome for Kataza. 

There is no doubt that in the beginning there were “rookie” mistakes, after all these volunteers had never worked with baboons before, let alone a male baboon walking through the burbs; but where were the professionals? Where were TMNP rangers? CoCT traffic control? Cape Nature staff? Why didn’t baboon researchers  and their students come and help?  

It was easy to criticize but the Angels kept at it, learnt how better to assist and, my goodness, hearing some of the daily voice notes was the equivalent to listening to high speed drama scenes in any movie.

#Bring Kataza Back – #We brought Kataza back!

The overview of the actions that took place to save Kataza continued:

  • After hearing about the plight of QKataza, concerned animal rights campaigner and activist Ryno Engelbrecht started legal proceedings to get Kataza returned to his troop.
  • Toni V Brockhoven started a twitter campaign – and #Bring Kataza Back became the trending topic.
  • Daina de Agrela started a petition which gained over 30 000 signatures!
  • Toni V Brockhoven (United Front 4 Animals) and Kylie Wilford for arranged a hugely successful protest.
  •  Barbara Friedman gave all sides of the Kataza story exceptional coverage on Cape Talk.
  • The CGHSPCA provided veterinary attention and assessments when Kataza was looking exhausted and stressed and again after he sustained injuries in dominance fights.
  • The CGHSPCA attempted to resolve the situation by inviting all role players to a meeting however only BoTS and BM attended.
  • CGHSPCA provided daily monitoring of Kataza to form their own, unbiased assessment of his integration process and sought permits from Cape Nature to relocate Kataza to Riverside in the event that this was his only option.
  • Experts from all over the world gave inputs and guidance.
  • Prime Crew’s Luzanne Kratz and the Riverside team of Bob, Lynne and Mias Venter travelled to Cape Town to provide support in areas they felt best able to make change.
  • Thanks to proactive support from Karen De Klerk (Cape Animal Welfare Forum), Mayor Plato and members of Mayco met with CAWF, BoTS, BM and CGHSPCA. At this meeting Mayor Plato directed Aldermen Nieuwoudt to form a task team to resolve on-going baboon management issues.
  • Media coverage was immense and Kataza featured on SABC2, ENCA, radio and newspapers both locally and around the world.

In essence, Kataza created the perfect storm and the combination of Ryno’s court case, the high level meetings and incredible, never waning public attention eventually resulted in the CoCT settling the court case with Ryno and resolving that Kataza should be returned to his Slangkop troop.
At no time did anyone ever forget the very real and unresolved issues of baboon management that urgently need to be reviewed and revised and this has remained our collective goal.

Kataza comes back!

Kataza was returned to his home range on 13 November and made his way across to the troop where he was seen for a short while.

We had so hoped that Kataza would simply re-join the troop however we knew that he would need a settling in period to readjust.  Although Kataza’s offspring had all been killed, he still has family members and bonds within the troop but after Kataza had been away for almost 3 months and he needs time to find peace and settle down. He has been seen in close proximity to the troop on a number of occasions, but has also been spending a lot of time on his own, but at least he is in his home turf and does appear more relaxed.

We have noticed that the service providers (both past and current) made no effort to deter Kataza from entering the urban areas.  When NCC started their contract they were actively making every attempt to keep Kataza out of suburbia, but now that he has been returned it seems that their efforts to deter Kataza  have stopped.  As the service providers follow instruction from the CoCT we can only wonder why they are not providing rangers to encourage Kataza away from human occupied space and back to his troop?   It cannot be about resources and budget as Baboon Matters offered to pay for the services of two off-duty rangers to assist in this re-integration process.  Needless to say, we are all watching closely and hoping for a smooth transition back to the troop.

It is Global Giving Tuesday on 1 December – that means every financial contribution you make to Baboon Matters on 01.12.20 will be matched by Global Giving.

Please support our on going efforts and Help Baboon Matters help baboons by donating via:
https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/stop-killing-baboons/

Changing baboon management

In communities there is more pro-active baboon action than I have ever seen!
 

In Kommetjie, local resident Mel Gouws quietly got on with the task of baboon proofing bins for her neighbours.  She has been helped by Sally Sivewright and Sam Hodgson and the Chacma Challenge is now underway; a project to get all communities to start active baboon proofing. Each village is encouraged to start baboon proofing and a leaderboard will soon be set up to see which village is being most proactive. Contact Sally Sivewright for all details. guardiansofthedeep@yahoo.com
 

In Simonstown resident Luana Pasanisi of the Green Group had educational signage designed and erected to warn visitors to the area that baboons live near to an increasingly popular hiking trail. Sadly, Luana was made to remove the signage by TMNP who, although they had been liaising with her for 3 years, had given no guidelines or parameters for the signage but objected that it did not comply to their regulations once it was erected.

In Bettys Bay,  it was fantastic to see Bettys Bay Baboon Action Group secure the support of international icons Dr Jane Goodall (who sent two letters) and Sir David Attenborough who are advocating for better baboon management specific to Bettys Bay, but their support is  equally important for all baboons.   

In addition, Dr Anthony Collins(Jane Goodall Institute) supported changing human behaviour as a better management action in his radio interview on Cape Talk. BBBAG are working hard with their municipality to adopt the “Shepherd don’t shoot” approach to baboon management in their area.

During the forthcoming school holidays, Guardians of the Deep (run by Sally Sivewright) is running fun eco-education holiday program for children of areas affected by baboons. Contact Sally for further information about the Chacma Champions via:
guardiansofthedeep@yahoo.com

Funding SOS! 

After nearly 20 years we are facing closure due to lack of funding!  Please consider making a donation to enable us to continue working for baboons in crisis!

Lobbying and advocacy

 

In 2019 Baboon Matters and BoTS wrote to all the authorities calling for a workshop to review and revise the current management guidelines and protocols. Our appeal was taken up by Wildlife and Animal Protection Forum SA (WAPFSA) who wrote to Minister Bredel requesting a workshop to address the long standing baboon issues.  

Minister Bredel instructed Cape Nature to host the workshop we attended an initial meeting hosted by Cape Nature on 13 November.  It was disappointing that although the court case had been resolved, the CoCT delegate attending the meeting had been instructed not to participate in the meeting.  It was equally telling that UCT delegates had, apparently,  been advised by UCT not to attend this meeting. 

There appears to have been a pattern over the past few meetings whereby CGHSPCA, BoTS and BM consistently pitch up with willing to resolve matters, whilst key role players opt to not attend or not participate in meetings.

End of year thoughts…

As 2020 draws to a close, we will continue to keep a close eye on Kataza and all of our baboons and continue working with all interested stakeholders to find long term solutions for these persecuted primates.  

Baboon Matters thanks each and every one who has actively supported our hard work over many years and we are grateful that our role as lobbyists and advocates for baboons is providing such high levels of interest in baboons and change in both attitudes and management.

As a tiny NPO Baboon Matters is heavily reliant on public support to help us to help baboons and we are so grateful for the contributions we have received this year and we hope you will continue to support our efforts in 2021!

 

Have a beautiful Festive season and rest – and continue watching the baboon channels!

T-Shirts and
Funding Appeal

Our super cool 100% cotton T-shirts and vests are your must have summer accessory! What a fab way to support Baboon Matters – and look good too!

Our Holiday Packs make a wonderful year end gift, for yourself or your besties – treat everyone you know!

 

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BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter July 2020

BaboonMatters Trust – Newsletter July 2020

What an extraordinary year 2020 has been! 

The global pandemic and lockdown has affected all of us and I hope that you have been able to cope with the many challenges that have been coming our way.

When the Corona lockdown was announced on 23 March 2020, I wondered what impact this would have on baboons and baboon management. I was cautiously optimistic, thinking that as residents would be at home, have time on their hands and were having to be careful with food resources, this would mean that there would be a huge improvement in effective baboon-proofing of homes and general waste management, and that that in turn would make it easier for the service provider to keep the baboons out of urban areas.

Contrary to my optimistic hopes for a radical decrease in baboon activity in urban areas, the reverse happened; from WhatsApp groups (in urban areas overlapping with baboon troops) it seems that baboon activity has increased during the lockdown.  

In the village of Kommetjie, where I am based, baboons have visited the urban area almost every day since the lockdown began and sadly incidents of residents shooting at baboons with pellet guns, shotguns and paintball guns increased as did the numbers of dog attacks on baboons.

NIMBY – Not In My Back Yard.

Since 2010, Baboon Matters has been fighting against the use of paintballs and bearbangers, fighting for a review and revision of the management guidelines and protocols and fighting for ethical treatment of baboons. Although we have had on-going support from many residents who come into contact with baboons, the lockdown has demonstrated the NIMBY effect so well.

There is a direct correlation to NIMBY – when the baboons are seldom seen or in an area, few residents support calls to stop the use of paintballs on baboons and only some residents voice disapproval against the use of bearbangers or are opposed to the killing of individual baboons. But now that people have been forced to stay at home and have seen the daily onslaught of paintballing baboons and witnessed the stress, pain and chaos it causes, there is a great deal more pressure being brought to bear on the decision makers of the Baboon Technical Team (comprising members of the CoCT, Cape Nature, Table Mountain National Park, iCwild and The Cape of Good Hope SPCA) as well as in community ward councilors along the Overstrand and Garden Route.

The CoCT has finally acknowledged that the green garbage bins are an ongoing attractant to baboons but are not baboon proof.
We thank the residents who wrote and complained about the bins, the residents who were proactive in removing waste and adjusting bins so that there were no food rewards for the baboons in the bins and our thanks to the CoCT for this first proactive step in resolving the waste management problems affecting baboons.

Baboon Management rolled out in Overstrand.

There is an urgent need for change to the protocols and guidelines, and this must be addressed as a priority issue especially when one considers that the flawed system currently used in Cape Town is being rolled out many other areas in the Western Cape; there is a lot of work to be done reviewing and revising the guideline and protocols.

It is of deep concern that techniques such as the Virtual Fence (see link below for details) are being implemented in the absence of any EIA or any assessment to test the impact the VF has on other wildlife, and there must be significant impact on other wildlife because if the landscape of fear has forced baboons to flee an area it stands to reason that other wildlife will have experienced similar fear and would also move off.

We would all love to find the solution that keeps baboons out of human occupied areas, but it seems to me that we need to rely as much on our own actions (sensible baboon proofing options, waste management etc) as we do “other sources”. We cannot expect monitors/rangers, paintballs, bear bangers, electric fences or Virtual Fences to be effective if we are continuously leaving food in waste or providing attractants through our lifestyle choices.
There needs to be a comprehensive approach and co-operative planning whereas we are currently dealing with lack of transparency and selective participation processes.

Kommetjie residents recently participated in an on-line survey, it was interesting to note that there was a lot of support to stop the use of paintballs and great support for a workshop.  The full results of the survey can be seen at this link

(Anyone with the dropbox link should be able to access all the files)
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/fn4055foquzgjxj/AACXUuITY40SIqSMXhfpCE7ra?dl=0

For Information about the Virtual Fence follow this link.
http://hwsolutions.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/2016_11_02-Virtual-Fence-PO_CC-V9.pdf


 

Ethical Treatment of baboons

In areas where paintballs and bearbangers are deployed, residents have observed what they notice to be increased stress levels and we have all witnessed baboons either limping after having been hit with a paintball or rubbing the affected area; we cannot see the injuries as the baboons’ thick hair hides any obvious bruising and we would not see internal injuries.

Although we have raised our concerns to the various organisations we have had little success in moderating or preventing the use of either paintballs or bearbangers, so it was very interesting to read an article in National Geographic where the impacts of non-lethal weapons used to control crowds in the recent protest actions in USA were analyzed. (see link below)

Of particular interest were comments about paintball guns and use of sound explosions as deterrents :

On the use of rubber bullets:

Jennifer Stankus, a clinical faculty physician at the Madigan Army Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine, likens it to getting shot with a paintball gun. Yet serious injuries from rubber bullets have been reported throughout their history. Studies of their use in the conflict in Kashmir have shown that rubber bullets can cause fractures,

Baboon Matters has been told by a reliable source that in 2016 – 18 rangers working with the southern troops were commonly firing between 20 000 – 30 000 paintball markers at baboons monthly.   An average of 1000 paintballs fired per day.

In the northern troops between 60 000 – 70 000 paintballs were fired at baboons monthly.

Notably, in one particular month when baboons were experiencing food scarcity after a fire had swept through their home range some months prior, 100 000 paintballs were fired at baboons to keep them out of urban areas.

Please note that this information has not been verified.

On the use of sound deterrents:

“Noise is a common tactic for clearing people out of an area, says Richard Neitzel, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Public Health who studies the effects of noise exposure.”

More concerning, he says, are the potential effects of flash-bang grenades. These emit sounds upward of 170 decibels, which can cause immediate ear injury to anyone standing nearby—a risk that increases with the number of explosions.

The bearbangers deployed to scare baboons away from urban areas have decibel levels of 160 decibels, compared to the 170 decibel of the flash-bang grenades used to disperse crowds.

From the internet we discovered the following information:

It is clear from the National Geographic article that non-lethal methods of managing people do have potential to cause injury and yet we are using very similar tactics on baboons daily.
Around the world animal welfare advocates are examining management methods and working on laws and protection of wildlife and animals so that there are more humane methods in place – it is high time that the scientific advisors and the decision makers of the BTT review the “fear of landscape” tools and work towards meeting better management practice.

https://apple.news/Ank1H8QfgTHe-7byZSzjGZQ

Paintball marker clear on the young baboon.

Injuries and deaths of baboons

A recent community meetings presentations made by icwild indicated that numbers of baboons killed through human actions was at it lowest under the management of the current service provider – as it should be with the staff and budgets available to prevent baboons coming into urban areas.

Despite the efforts of the HWS team, baboons are still being killed and injured and it is alarming to note that for the current year there are more recorded deaths than births.

The HWS population table shows that over the 7 years of their management, the total increase in the baboon population is 81 baboons in  the 11 managed troops; this means that, on average, each troop is increasing by just one baboon per year. 
Of course some troops show higher growth rates than others, but the Misty Cliffs troop has been eliminated completely, Zwaansvyk troop has decreased by 8 baboons and the CT1 & 2 troops have increased by only 1 baboon.

In her 2009 thesis, E. Beamish noted that the average annual mortality rate was 9%, but in the 2019 HWS Annual Report  the annual death rate was averaged at 12%.   It will be very interesting to compare the current count which was recently completed by E. Beamish of icwild, with the count undertaken by HWS field staff in 2019. We look forward to seeing the data.

Injuries and treatment for baboons

There have been a recent spate of injuries to baboons, most notably was the case of Twiggy. Twiggy had suffered untreated mange and an untreated abscess, and then brutal bite wounds inflicted by dogs;  Twiggy received no veterinary treatment and she and her young 7 – 8 month juvenile daughter were both “euthanised” instead of protocols being followed.

There was also a tragic case of where the only adult male of the GoB troop was fatally injured in a suspected MVA and he too was euthanised.

In other cases, baboons were attacked by dogs and the young female Betty suffered a head trauma that caused significant swelling to both eyes and she lost the right eye completely.  No veterinary treatment was given.

Stretch suffered major head trauma and severe wounds to his right arm.

Twiggy suffered untreated hair loss, abscess and suffered injuries
inflicted by dogs. Both she and her daughter were euthanized.

Baboon Matters and funding

Many NGO’s and organisations are battling with the implications of the global pandemic and resultant economic recessionary period, and so too is Baboon Matters. Our fund raising initiatives had to be put on hold as we could not do the printing and distribution of t-shirts and bags that we had planned.

We are so aware that it is a very tough environment but we do rely on support from the general public for us to continue our work for baboons and hope that you will continue to be one of our donors.

If you are able to assist Baboon Matters the 15 of July is a perfect day to help;
On the 15 July our friends at Global Giving will be matching all donations!

DONATE THIS 15th of JULY!

Please support Baboon Matters by making a donation via: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/stop-killing-baboons/


We are thrilled that Professor Lesley Green focused her sharp mind and dynamic thinking in a way that included baboons. Lesley’s latest publication  “Rock  Water  Life” is a book everyone should read  and we hope that her thoughts and narrative influence the much needed change in many ways,but particularly for the baboons. 

Rock Water Life is available from the Book Lounge in Cape Town and all major online book sales.

Lesley Green is deputy director of Environmental Humanities South. She is Professor of Anthropology in the School of African and Gender Studies, Anthropology and Linguistics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and was a Fulbright Fellow at the Science and Justice Research Centre at U.C Santa Cruz in 2018. 

Waste management – Clean-up!

It was brought to our attention that during lockdown (in addition to usual roadside littering!) there had been a build-up of dumping that was attracting baboons to rummage through the waste.
Kommetjie and Scarborough residents were fantastic and the area was quickly cleared of tons of rubbish.

Sadly people continue to throw household trash, garden waste and fast food wrappings all over our scenic routes.  Our campaign to #Stowit Don’t Throw it is being widely shared but we really to need to reach even more people.

https://www.facebook.com/100001315219545/videos/3104394562947687/

Funding SOS! 

After nearly 20 years we are facing closure due to lack of funding!  Please consider making a donation to enable us to continue working for baboons in crisis!

Baboon Matters Donation Options:

SMS:  Baboons 42646

Donate via:  http://baboonmatters.org.za/donate/

Banking options:

Standard Bank
Blue Route Mall
Acc No  2700 400 80

https://www.myschool.co.za/supporter/apply/

Kommetjie Community Meeting Baboon Management – 18 February 2020

Kommetjie Community Meeting Baboon Management – 18 February 2020

Almost 100 Kommetjie residents attended the recent community meeting hoping to hear what the management plan is for our Slangkop troop. The meeting was MC’d by Ward Councilor Simon Leill-Cock (SLC) with presentations by Prof J. O’Riain (JOR) and Human Wildlife Solutions (HWS) area manager Cath Shutte (CS).

Kommetjie CARBS (Councilor Appointed Representatives Baboons South) Susan Litten was instrumental in organizing the meeting and her efforts to proactively inform residents about baboons was acknowledged and thanked.

The meeting kicked off with a presentation by JOR who reminded attendees that many of us had sat in a similar meeting 8 years prior debating the same issues.

JOR spent a large portion of time dealing with the complex issue of pathogens and disease spread from baboons to humans and humans to baboons.  It is not clear why so much emphasis is given to this issue as the real risk of contamination is actually extremely  low, but just the notion of getting Hepatitis A from a baboon is enough to worry some residents and the inclusion of the corona virus in the presentation seemed a little irresponsible. (At the last community meeting where the pathogen data was presented a resident left with the idea that we were all going to get Ebola from the baboons…)

In truth you simply need basic hygiene and good old common sense; don’t go around handling baboon poo or saliva and if the baboons have left you a couple of calling cards, wear some gloves, dispose of the feces and then wash the space and your hands thoroughly.

I wish other issues raised could be dealt with as easily, but it seems that there were more questions than answers.  A number of the audience could not hear what was being said and left, some people left early as they felt it was “the same old thing” and a large portion attendees felt that issues were not taken seriously or were not answered.

Paintballing and Stress

One of the consistent themes raised however, was that people are unhappy about the excessive level of paintballing and the elevated risk to children, damage to property and the apparent negative effect it is having on the troop. The panel did not seem to think that the paintballing was problematic.

JOR responded to several expressed concerns about the welfare of the troop, explaining that samples of hormones from the da Gama troop were being analyzed and that would determine the baboon stress levels.  I am not sure if this data can be extrapolated to include all other troops? From what HWS presented it seems that the Slangkop troop has had an extended period of extremely stressful activity having been  reportedly hunted and harassed in the Ocean View area where they were kept for nearly three years. 

There was no data presented on how the Ocean View residents felt about having the baboons in their urban area for the past three years.

In reply to one question about the efficacy of the project and use of paintball guns,  JOR stated that this was the best run project of its kind in the world, but could not answer where else in the world animals or wildlife are actively herded using paintballs or against which other project this one was compared. 

Water Provisioning

Another of the concerns was the issue of the provision of water and the option of food provisioning to keep the baboons on the mountain.  The City Manager (Owen Wittridge – OW) stated that they were not allowed to put water on TMNP land.

Historically there were water points at different locations on Slangkop, the first point (at the Blockhouse) was found to be too close to the village and so the point was moved to a Jojo tank along the jeep track. This tank was destroyed in fires and Baboon Matters have repeatedly offered to replace it.  The problematic lack of water during the summer months has been acknowledged by the role players and water tanks were provided previously so it should be a task that could be speedily implemented.
 
JOR pointed out that there is water available to the baboons if they (the baboons) chose to go to Kleinplaas dam or to Lewis Guy dam – but would the baboons be “allowed” to go  to that area?  Their movements are heavily controlled and if the baboons were to go to water access points they would probably head back to the spring above the Rasta camp, an area densely invaded with rooikrans and difficult to manage the baboons in, as CS pointed out. 
 
The Slangkop troop could also look for water above Scarborough and Misty Cliffs, part of their  traditional home-range, but I am not sure either village would welcome another troop coming into their village. 

Water availability does not necessarily equate to baboons being allowed to utilize those sources.

Prior to the baboons arriving in Kommetjie I had offered suggestions as to where a water point might be placed, Baboon Matters had offered to pay for a Jojo tank and had liaised with the Volunteer Fire Fighters who had offered to fill the tank with water.  Instead the HWS staff elected to place a water point in the Soetwater campsite meaning that the baboons have to now cross a busy road to go down to a recreational site which, although it is quiet over large portions of the year, it is always exceptionally busy over long weekends and the Easter holidays.
 

It is not clear why TMNP are allowed to dictate the provisioning of water for baboons within this very unusual circumstance of a national park within a city (or city within a national park).  There are existing Heads of Agreement between the CoCT and SANparks and we are told that SANparks does have exceptions for parks that need water provisioning; why is the TMNP restriction not challenged or even put in the public domain for comment?  It does not appear to be a transparent decision.

Water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink..

Food provisioning?

The idea of food provisioning was dismissed, not only from the TMNP rules, but also as it is felt it that provisioning is not a long term solution.  Scientists generally hold the view that if provisioned,  the baboons would have increased fecundity levels and raise infants more efficiently.  What is not accepted by the academic sector is that baboons are already provisioned by human derived foods– through our waste, from our gardens and occasionally from our houses. 

Have the exceptional food rewards gained at the local food factory, over the past 15 years, shown any significant increase in fecundity and troop population? 
It does not seem so,  the Slangkop troop has only increased by 13 members in the twenty years of recorded data.  (In 1999 there was 1 adult male, 14 adult females and 15 immatures; compared to HWS 2019 counts, where 1 adult male, 17 adult females and 25 immatures were recorded). 
We know that there is a high mortality rate amongst the immature category of baboons and Slangkop is no different; as an example, the November 2019 HWS  report records 2 births and 2 deaths for the troop. The overall increase of 13 baboons over 20 years can hardly be considered a burgeoning population despite the fairly continuous access to human derived foods.

I am always astonished at the reluctance to trial provisioning; we are prepared to trial paintballing, bear bangers and virtual fences – why not provisioning? Why not give it a “proper” try?  The last experiment with the Waterfall troop could hardly be considered to be a significant trial as a mere handful of mealie kernels was used to lure the Waterfall troop away from the navy barracks where they can access loaves of bread and an abundance of fast food without too much effort.

I would think that if food provisioning worked, it might be a great deal easier for the service provider to ‘manage’ the troops with the least impact on other wildlife, and since the BTT are considering the implementation of birth control anyway, I don’t see how a potential increase in fecundity levels will impact the population? 
A benefit that provisioning may offer is the potential to eliminate the pesky pathogens and deal with mange out breaks etc. by introducing medication at provisioning sites as needed; this tactic is used by many research and rehabilitation centers so has merit worth exploring. If provisioning did not work or show any improvement in managing the troops, then at least the BTT could say “We told you so” but in the meantime, we continue to debate the concept.

It seems to me that as we are attempting to manage one of the most intelligent primate species alongside another intelligent primate; both living with urban encroachment and in the midst of climate change – surely we should not be dependent on the “old rules”, but should be exploring a range of options that do not revolve around hurting, dominating or killing wildlife?
 

Here’s what YOU can do to help Baboon Matters help baboons.

 


 

Communication

The community observed that the WhatsApp location group was very effective at warning residents that baboons were in the area so that they could “close up” and be prepared.  A suggestion that rangers could alert the WhatsApp group of the baboons location was dismissed as Dr Richardson stated that none of his staff has phones able to utilize WhatsApp and, therefore, could not warn the community when baboons were “on the way”.
In a positive response to this the residents undertook to warn each other of the baboons arrival through vuvuzelas and the Location Group.


Join the two Kommetjie Baboon WhatsApp groups for baboon locations and advice:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EZbvcMQgvou7k8B9upGgoe
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HZRjvvSolKg7ACKdgiewn

NO to killing our baboons

An issue that the residents were not prepared to negotiate, however, was that of killing so called “problem” baboons.  The meeting made it clear that none of the Slangkop baboons are to be singled out as more of a “problem” than others and that we do not accept any baboons being killed. SLC first agreed that no baboons would be killed but then said he could not be held accountable to management decisions of the troop. 
The meeting firmly endorsed that we will not accept any baboons being killed in terms of the protocols.

Help our baboons by helping us. For EVERY donation you make, we can keep our doors open and effect the changes the baboons need.

Fences – Virtual and Electric

The main focus of the evening was surely the discussion about use of fences, so much so that one resident expressed that he thought he had come to a sales pitch about electric fences…

Both JOR and CS detailed successes of the electric fences at Zwaanswyk and explained how the proposed fence would be positioned along the Kommetjie firebreak with the intention of keeping humans “in” and wildlife “out”.  Based on the information given at the meeting, the baboon proof electric fence does seem a good option but points of concern such as the on-going costs for the maintenance of the fence or replacement of the fence in the event of a fire were not answered fully.

It was noted that despite baboon proof electric fences at Constantia vineyards, specific vineyards still detail baboon incursions to such a degree that they were awarded permits to hunt baboons on their properties.

From the BTT team present, the main concern about the electric fence was not the impact on other wild-life (whom they feel would be safer out of the village) but rather the  cost of installation (costs of on-going maintenance were barely mentioned). 
It was made clear that Kommetjie residents are expected to pay for the fence and it is suggested that the money can be raised through the formation of a Special Ratings Area, whereby it is expected that “someone” would have to go door to door to obtain 60%  buy-in for this SRA. Once the SRA is established money is added to monthly rates and can be used for a variety of agreed community improvement projects. 

It took Zwaanswyk 5 years to get their SRA formed after which the fence funded and erected, how long would it take Kommetjie?  This would not be a quick solution.

Questions were asked about how a fence would affect the use of monitors and paintballing and it was noted that the overall budget costs would drop dramatically with fewer rangers and paintballs needed.

It seems that the CoCT and her expert decision makers have agreed that an electric fence is the preferred option, yet the city continue to spend millions of rand of rate payers money on a costly management system that many residents are unhappy with.  Why does the CoCT not reapportion the ranger budget, have fences erected at relevant locations and run a more cost efficient baboon response and maintenance project?

The alternative solution offered is that of the Virtual Fence, a system whereby (very simplistically)  baboons are collared and monitored; sound boxes are placed so that if the baboons cross a point extremely loud sounds of predator calls, animals in pain or other baboons fighting (for example) are played.  The concept is that when the baboons hear these distressing noises, but cannot see the source of the sound, they run away from the sounds.
 
Dr Richardson sited the on-going success of the Virtual Fence project in Gordons Bay, but skimmed over its partial success at the Simons Town Waterfall and Rocklands areas.  The recent use of the virtual fence in Hermanus was not mentioned; it seems that the virtual fence does not appear to be completely successful at this stage. 
It is understood that there are always going to be differing success rates for different “tools” used in baboon management and the virtual fence may be one of the tools that is exceptionally successful in some areas but not in others. 
 
What was not answered is, what is the impact on other wildlife when the loud distressing noises are played?  Surely bokkies and caracals would also be petrified and run away? Have there been any studies at all on the impact of the virtual fence on birds and wildlife?

Where is the Management Plan?

For me, the take out from the Kommetjie meeting the lack of an overall comprehensive management plan and this must be seen as a significant failure on behalf of the Baboon Technical Team.  The lack of a plan means that management is reactionary and repetitive as we deal with the same crisis on irregular basis.  JOR pointed out that we had all met 8 years prior yet we sat again for a couple of hours, heard the inputs, asked some questions and left; there is no real “tomorrow solutions” or way forward.

The lack of planning was illustrated through the presentation by HWS where a detailed map of “problematic areas” showed  areas where gangs of youth hunt the baboons, dog fighting occurs or the rangers are threatened.  HWS have been dealing with the problem for an extended period of time, yet there was no proactive plan to relocate the troop back to Slangkop, no community meeting prior to the move, no water provision, no baboon proof bins etc. 

We understand that the rangers had been held up at gun point and that the event exacerbated the move – yet the management team had been considering this move for months prior to the robbery, but simply had no proactive plans in place to ensure the troop moved back with minimal disruption to all the primates of the area.

The lack of a comprehensive management plan is highlighted by the lack of effective baboon proof bins, no by-laws, lack of effective on-going education, lack of signage and law enforcement.  It is astonishing that in 1998 when primatologists Kansky and Gaynor arrived in the area they immediately identified the need for proper plans and through collective efforts and minimal resources of the Baboon Management Team  significant steps were made to get compromise documents in place – we had the Brownlie Doc, the WWF Management Plan and Dr Kansky’s book on “Living with baboons” is still acknowledged as the most useful  baboon information document of its kind.

Baboon Matters, with support of the Wildlife  Animal Protection Forum  SA, has been requesting a moratorium and a workshop to review and revise the current management through an inclusive workshop.   It makes sense that this long running management project is objectively reviewed so that long term plans and a comprehensive (possibly compromise) document can be agreed on. At the moment we are hearing “bits and pieces” at community meetings where input from the BBT dominates and concerns, questions and ideas from the residents and stakeholders are kept to a minimum or are not answered fully.
There are some residents who feel frustrated that we have so many questions – but no solutions. But how can we arrive at fully understood solutions when we are not given all the information to make informed decisions? 
We hear that birth control is to be implemented,  yet our troops do not appear to have healthy ratios and there is grave concern about lack of genetic variation (we are in-breeding our baboons). We are told that electric or virtual fences are the best option – but no-one can tell us what impact the fences might have on our other wildlife neighbours, or (in the case of the electric fences) how they will be funded or maintained.

Relocation.

There has been much written on both social and printed media about the demise and loss of the Scarborough /Misty Cliffs troop, the situation is desperately sad and must be a wake-up call to all residents living in areas where baboons live too. 

As we face ever increasing urban densification and intensified land use, we have to ask what the best long term solution for the baboons will be.  Will we be looking at fences, birth control and provisioning or could we consider relocation of whole troops to be free roaming on safe land purchased for this specific goal?  I first suggested the notion of relocating four of the peninsula troops to the BTT in 2016, perhaps it is time that we collectively consider this option?

Kommetjie Baboon Task Team

A small group of residents have met to form a practical hands on task team, the goal being to try to minimize some of the high level attractants in the village.
We hope to have proactive signage, a MacGyver team to help adapt garbage bins to be baboon proof, cages to contain waste installed at local businesses and a water provisioning point installed on Slangkop.  The task team will also be looking at upgrading information brochures for residents and B&B’s.

If you could not attend the first informal meeting but want to help out with reducing the conflicts please email info@baboonmatters.org.za and we will gladly welcome your help.

Funding SOS!

After nearly 20 years we are facing closure due to lack of funding! Please consider making a donation to enable us to continue working for baboons in crisis!

Newsletter November 2019 – The Future of Baboon Matters

Newsletter November 2019 – The Future of Baboon Matters

In this Newsletter we explain why we made the announcement that Baboon Matters is closing down, provide an update on the Famous Four baboons of Scarborough and give an insight of what it is like to be a Cape peninsula male baboon. We normally send out our Newsletters three times during the course of the year, but since our newsletter of August 2019 there has been a lot of change in some areas and yet none on the more urgent issues, so we felt an update is necessary.

The Future of Baboon Matters

We have been alerting our followers for the past 18 months that our funding was running dry but it was only in August this year when the grim reality hit home, we had no money at all in our bank account and finally the crisis sunk in.

I have been toying with the idea of retiring for some time now; I have been working for baboons for almost 30 years and whereas in years gone by there was only Baboon Matters, but there are now other baboon groups and they are doing amazing work. It was in light of the dire funding and my own exhaustion that I made the announcement on Facebook that I was retiring.

The statement was met with a great deal of shock and many people messaging me asking me what could be done to change my mind; there were some very kind offers of assistance and a few gratefully received financial contributions. The NGO world is always a constant flux of energy and cash flow, so although the contributions were greatly appreciated, it was not enough to resolve the on-going financial problem…and yet I did make the decision to “do another few rounds in the ring”.
 

So what happened to change my mind?

Two things happened in quick succession, the first was the release of the 2019 census for the Cape peninsula baboon population (which illustrated how badly skewed this closed population is) and the other was the plight of one injured male baboon; George Jnr’s case demonstrated the urgent need to review and revise current management with specific regard to both dispersing males and waste management issues. Both of these instances remind me that I cannot turn my back on the baboons yet.

But to backtrack a little; at the end of 2014 Baboon Matters received a bequest from Joan Wrench and this amazing gift enabled us to get on with so many projects – we could go to Sabie when the huge trap cages were first reported and this trip led to the expose of the mass killing of hundreds of
baboons in the region and is an issue we are still fighting.
Joan’s bequest became the foundation of our operation and enabled us to go to Namaqualand to workshop with subsistence farmers during the drought, to Knysna to supply food for wildlife after the fires, for training monitors in Caledon and Greyton, for our education outreach, some rescues and also support for Prime Crew who look after the Gumble and Bean troop and other baboons rescued from the Western Cape.

A large part of our monthly costs have been travel as we try to get to baboons in need, such as the orphaned babies, trapped baboons, snared baboons and shot baboons. We have also attended the relevant workshops and conferences in SA. The impacts of runaway fires have been devastating in the past few years but time and travel to the Overstrand to check on the baboons also resulted in establishing closer relationships with villages now encountering baboons more frequently. In Greyton we helped the community get funding together to employ monitors and then trained their enthusiastic small team.

We encourage interest groups as they work to get proactive baboon management in place. A great deal of our work is advocacy; writing letters, objections, proposals, getting legal opinion and liaising with colleagues and experts to find solutions for the many problems resulting from baboon human interactions over SA. Another time consuming aspect is our educational outreach, not only physically going to speak to schools and interest groups but also through using our huge social media platform to teach people about the plight of baboons; our production of video and visual materials have been effective in reaching and, hopefully, educating many thousands of followers.

Our team at Baboon Matters has always been very small, being myself and Kathy Kelly since 2015 but in 2016/17 we increased our crew by two amazing people who worked part-time on out-reach and all of the activities described above.

We are lucky enough to have the support of a Cape Town philanthropic trust and we have also actively fund raised through our Global Giving Campaigns. In 2016 Woolworths sold the incredibly popular “baboon bags” throughout SA and the funds helped us with the projects outlined above.
We have always kept our costs as low as possible and paid the lower end NGO salaries for the very long hours of expertise and time put in to this trust.

Despite what many people may suggest, Baboon Matters is not hugely successful at fund-raising, and now that the bequest is finished we are battling, like so many NGO’s across SA, to stay afloat.

The “team” is now just me and there is simply too much work for one person to do, as well as fund-raise. And we do need funding to cover all the basic running costs such as transport, telephone, fuel, electricity, legal input and salary etc. in other words all the usual costs that are associated with a small organisation. If you truly would like to help Baboon Matters as we continue to try and help baboons, it is essential that you contribute towards our on-going running costs.

Please make a donation in any amount that you can afford, as either a once off contribution, or as a regular monthly payment. With your support I can carry on trying to advocate for change, supply innovative educational material and help baboons in crisis.

Here’s what YOU can do to help Baboon Matters help baboons.

 


 

Male Baboons of the Cape peninsula

The plight of male baboons on the Cape peninsula is a particularly problematic management issue as well as being deeply emotive. Most residents on the Cape peninsula will tell stories of their favourite male baboon; we all have an Eric story, or relate how Fred was so adept at getting into vehicles to steal bags of food. Dodger won over a lot of hearts when he tried to join troops in Tokai and reports of Dodger calmly walking across immaculate gardens or roosting in a tree at night illustrated how he had endeared himself to many residents.
Most recently video footage of Mr. Spaghetti went viral as the charismatic baboon sat at a restaurant table and polished off a plate full of spaghetti.

Although many people love the opportunity to see baboons, they are not safe in urban areas. The very small percentage of people who hate baboons will be the ones to shoot or poison these opportunistic animals.Situations of conflict arise when dogs attack baboons or where baboons are cornered. Reports of perceived “aggression” from baboons means they will be killed under the management guidelines.

Sadly, male baboons are highly persecuted animals and despite a reported population growth on the Cape peninsula, it seems that few baboons reach adulthood. The latest census shows the exact same number of adult males in both northern and southern populations and bizarrely both population
groups have the exact same number of adult females. Of concern are the ratios of males to females which are now badly skewed with some troops showing only 1 male to 17 females (ideally it should be 1 adult male to 3 adult females). In addition most troops have few or no sub-adults, indicating that high numbers of immatures are not surviving.

The 2019 census shows that there were just 9 adult male (AM) baboons in the 6 managed baboon troops in the Southern population. This is an increase of only 3 AM since 1999 when 6 AM were counted in these troops.

The northern population (Tokai, Constantia, Zwaanswyk and Mountain troops) also have only 9 AM, a massive drop in numbers from the 31 AM counted in 2015. It is of concern to note that since the June 2019 census another 6 males have been killed under management guidelines, co-incidentally 3 males from the each population group (north and south).
We do not know if Mr Spaghetti is still alive but we do know that that are at least 4 other adult males considered to be “problem” baboons so we expect to see them listed on the death lists in coming months.

In addition to the 6 adult males killed for management; 4 adult females were killed by dogs and 1 died of a pellet wound, 1 elderly baboon male disappeared and the overall numbers of baboons being killed in 2019 is almost 25% higher than baboon births.

The current management system targets male baboons just a badly as the pre baboon management era of the 1990’s when the numbers of adult males were so low that there were concerns about genetic viability and the survival of baboons on the peninsula.

The males are targeted because when they reach sexual maturity, adult males disperse from their natal troops and seek out a new troop to join. In the time that they spend alone the public perception that they are “rogues” exacerbates their plight. As the lone males wander through the now built up urban areas looking for a new troop, they find easy food rewards in our gardens and in our waste, even opportunistically taking food from open houses; they are quickly noted as “problem raiding baboons”, meaning that they will be killed under the current management guidelines.

The fact is that if a male baboon leaves his natal troop here on the Cape peninsula he has few options other than to traverse urban areas and a lone baboon is, typically, difficult to keep track of or “herd” away from the urban environment. Normally, the dispersing males stay out of trouble, they are vulnerable without troop support and so they tend to avoid conflict, but people frequently mistake a “fear grimace” (when the baboon pulls his eyes and ears back and exposes his teeth) as aggression, but in truth he is probably more scared than the person seeing the “fear grimace”.

It is also easy to understand how a baboon arriving unannounced over a garden wall may give the home owner a fright, but this behaviour is not and should not be reported as an “attack”. A particular concern is that one of the “assertive behaviours” noted against baboons by the current management system is if a baboon enters an “occupied’ home to get food. In most instances a baboon will not know that there are people in the house, if you are in the lounge watching television, for e.g and a baboon sees an open window or door to the kitchen, a fruit bowl on the counter or vegetables in a basket, he will enter with the intention of taking some high value food. The “raiding category” of entering an occupied dwelling needs to be carefully examined and revised and only noted if a baboon actively pushes past home owners to gain entry to the house.

In the past a prerequisite was that complaints about aggressive baboon behaviour should be accompanied by an affidavit from the complainant, this needs to be enforced. With few adult males and few sub-adult males (according to the 2019 census) it is clear that the current management system is “failing the males” and the knock on effect is that there are now badly skewed ratios of male to females. What is the longer term outlook for such a heavily managed, closed population?

In 2008 geneticist Dr T. Newman confirmed the lack of genetic diversity within the Cape baboon population, since then nearly 80 males have been killed under management guidelines and with no “new” genetic input coming into the closed population the situation can only be getting worse.

Whenever we engage with conservation organisations we are reminded of the “precautionary approach” in conservation management; it seems to me that this very approach should be applied to the management of the Cape peninsula baboons . The lack of genetic depth in this population group has been noted with concern and yet the consequences of continually reducing the numbers of breeding adults from this closed population do not appear to be taken into account as both adult males and adult females are killed for adjudged “problematic raiding behaviour” and numbers of baboons killed by simply living in close proximity to a busy urban area are continuous.Baboon Matters, along with many conservation and animal welfare groups, have been calling for a workshop to review and revise current management systems and protocols and the 2019 census indicates that the workshop should be regarded as a matter of urgency.

We cannot continue to keep killing baboons for raiding into uncontained waste or for situations that may arise as a result of attractants pulling them into proximity with people.

There needs to be a comprehensive management plan for this closed baboon population which is now being managed as two separate groups, with the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve regarded as a third, separate population. Flags have been raised by more and more organisations and groups who note that it seems that the intention of the collective BTT is to remove the baboon population through continued attrition of individuals – will the BTT take note or simply put their heads down and carry on?

Help our baboons by helping us. For EVERY donation you make, we can keep our doors open and effect the changes the baboons need.

BABOON MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Colleagues liaising on baboon management are all commenting on the on-going lack of transparency and planning. It seems that baboon management decisions are increasingly closed to input from the public and the minimal public participation process is frustrating to stakeholders and I&APs.

In 1998 there was the collaborative Baboon Management Team, a body made up of community representatives and members of relevant departments from Cape Nature, the City of Cape Town (municipality reps), the Navy and later the new Table Mountain National Park. There is simply too much detail to go into, but it is noteworthy that the Brownlie Document (1998) and the WWF funded management plan (2002) both originated from the collaborative BMT.

At the time one significant problem was that TMNP would not sign off on any of the management documents and there was debate about the “responsibility” for the baboons and therefore responsibility for budget to manage baboons.This issue has never been resolved, despite a very costly court case, and to date there is no management plan for our Cape peninsula baboon population.

In 1998, when Dr. Ruth Kansky suggested the use of “monitors” to keep the baboons out of villages, the idea was trialled on the Slangkop troop and proved to be effective, but none of the authorities would fund the project. For the next ten years baboon management was heavily reliant on the fundraising efforts from the joint BMT, from Baboon Matters and community groups collecting contributions from residents. It was through these stalwart efforts that full time monitors started working in Slangkop, then Da Gama Park in 2002 and finally in Scarborough in 2003/4.

The BMT recognised the need for education and Dr Kansky’s IFAW funded “Baboons on the Cape peninsula” was produced and distributed to all homes in baboon affected areas. To this day Dr.Kansky’s book is still widely regarded as the best guide for residents living in close proximity to baboons and should be republished and distributed widely. Baboon Matters continued the educational outreach through our very popular printed newsletters, talks and walks.

Fast track to 2009: When it was finally accepted that management could not be reliant on fundraising efforts of Baboon Matters and residential groups, the CoCT allocated sufficient funds to run the baboon monitor project, including all Tokai and Simons Town troops (where previously there had been no management unless residents or Baboon Matters provided short term relief from negative baboon human conflicts).

The city based funding brought a change in management style; the NSPCA accepted the use of paintballs to herd the baboons and lethal management was introduced through the Protocol for managing raiding baboons (this document has no legal standing and is considered to be “a management guideline”).
Further change came in 2010 when management separated into the Baboon Liaison Group (the civic voice) and the Baboon Technical Team (CoCT, Cape Nature, TMNP with guidance from the UCT Baboon Research Unit and the SPCA). The two sectors were supposed to meet regularly and the BLG
was supposed to feed back to the community, yet minutes of meetings were never provided on request.

From 2010 Baboon Matters was not part of the BLG or BTT as we did not agree with the lethal management nor the subsequent introduction of a landscape of fear. We continued to raise concerns and objections and had to resort to PAIA to gain information that should be open access documents. At the beginning of 2018 we were told that the BLG had broken down due to “personality clashes” within the group. It is noteworthy that none of the current baboon NGO’s or groups had been part of this management system for some years.
Recognising that I&AP’s, stakeholders and civic groups should have a voice in how our baboons are managed, efforts were made to establish a system to liaise with the BTT. It was concerning to note that this inclusive initiative was channelled into the non-inclusive CARBS (Councillor Appointed Representatives Baboons South).

Notably, specialist baboon groups were omitted from the selection and actively denied the right to attend meetings.
The CARBS process is reportedly being run as a Protected Areas Act Committee (PAAC) which should mean that any I&AP, stakeholder or interest group can sit on the committee, but when requests were made to join the PAAC there was a bit of back-tracking and it seems the new CARBS system may not be PAAC after all.

The lack of inclusivity in the carefully selected group defies constitutional rights and so far there is nothing to suggest that future management decisions will incorporate the public voice. We hope that the process will be addressed in a workshop we are, collectively and inclusively, requesting of the BTT.

The word frustrating comes up again as this scenario is a shocking illustration of how poor management decisions have disastrous long term consequences.

In 1998 Dr Gaynor advocated for an electric fence along the boundary between Scarborough and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.This pre-emptive measure would probably have prevented the Groot Olifantsbos baboon troop habituating to the rich rewards of village life.

The fence was not installed and when service providers HWS actively pushed for the electric fence to be installed in 2014 – 2015 the idea was, again, not taken up. From reports, it seems that residents did not want the electric fence and the complication of multiple land-owners meant that there had
to be an agreement in place regarding installation, maintenance and importantly – who pays for what?

Whilst the electrification of the fence line was not an option, the landscape of fear and lethal management methods were in place and in the period 2013 – 2018, 7 of the Misty Cliffs troop of 18 baboons had been killed under the management guideline. Other mortalities were as a result of
shootings (2 baboons killed) and electrocution (1) and poison (1). Unusually, 2 of the well-known male baboons simply disappeared never to be seen again and so the troop of 18 was reduced to just 6

At the start of 2019 the 3 remaining adult females each had a juvenile, but by June 2019 2 of the juveniles had been killed and there was talk of the small group of 4 baboons being “euthanised” in terms of the management guidelines. Save Scarborough Baboons managed to secure a moratorium on killing the girls until 30 September 2019.

In the months that followed there has been a huge amount of effort from residents, from the baboon groups and from the concerned public to find out what is actually happening and what could be a viable outcome for the small group. At the time of writing, BTT had not provided a proposal, plan, public meeting or any proactive suggestion to resolve the concerns.
The community have been effectively disenfranchised through this lack of public participation yet are expected to help find, and fund, a solution to a problem that is widely accepted to be the result of “management failing these baboons”.

Baboon Matters has written numerous emails requesting information but, along with other deeply concerned groups, we have no information. The most obvious solution would be the electric fence, but for reasons unknown it seems the fence will not be installed any time soon. One group is reportedly petitioning the national minister for help, and Scarborough residents task groups are trying to ascertain if funding for the electric fence could be forthcoming from the resident rate base.

We believe that Cape Nature has indicated willingness to provide permits for the four to be relocated to a sanctuary – but not in the Western Cape. There has been some talk of a private safari park taking the girls, but we have not seen any plan or confirmation of this option either.

So there are some ideas, but, at the time of writing this newsletter, nothing more. None of the baboon rehabilitation facilities (all situated in the northern provinces) have immediately available enclosures suitable to four free roaming baboons and so the relocation option would have to include the costs of building an enclosure, a task I believe the BTT must be held responsible for; it was after all poor management decisions that led to this situation, yet indications are that the NGO sector are expected to fundraise for the bulk of relocation costs (being the building of the enclosure and provision of food and vet care for the rest of the girls’ lives). If the NGO sector and general public are to raise the necessary funds, then surely the BTT must make this known officially, with a time line, with some sort of plan that we agree to?

There has been much in the social media about the four females returning to their “family” and remaining “wild and free” in the CGHNR. But which troop is the “family” troop? There has been recorded splitting within the GOB from as early as 2008, and by 2013 the Misty Cliffs troop was being recorded as a separate troop. If the natal troop of the 4 survivors is the Misty Cliffs troop, well they have all been killed; if the natal troop is GOB (and the girls do return to the GOB troop from time to time) then we can assume that the 3 adult females are probably lower ranking as it would be unusual for a high ranking female to leave her natal troop. Within either of these scenarios there is not much to suggest that the 4 individuals have strong bonds that would encourage them to stay with GOB and it is more likely that a young dispersing male would join them in Scarborough if the chance arose.

It must also be acknowledged that in the past 3 years the girls have become “residents” of the villages of Scarborough and Misty Cliffs; their offspring have been born in the villages and know no other life. For me it is dreadfully sad that this group has no semblance of normal baboon life – they do not spend time together unless at the sleep sites, they do not spend hours relaxing and grooming which is an important part of baboon social behaviour and activity. They do not get to forage on the intertidal zone, nor does the surviving juvenile Skye have troopmates to interact and play with and there is no male to safe guard the troop or to mate with. This unusual existence has lasted for nearly 3 years – why would anyone want this for baboon? For baboons, social structure, interaction – even the daily soap-opera squabbles – are all vitally
important. If you love baboons you would want them to have that life, not a life hiding out in a village, walking alone, being chased by paintball guns, herded to an area where you choose not to be.

So, for me the question is what is the best possible chance for these four baboons, who have no apparent bonds to GOB, to find some semblance of baboon life. If there was an electric fence, I don’t think the girls would re-join GOB permanently. As I suggested above, it is more likely that a young dispersing male would join the girls and they may continue as a small splinter troop.

If the electric fence was in place this should pose no real problem as the group would be within the reserve, but the TMNP has made it clear they do not wanted habituated baboons “teaching” non-habituated baboons to raid. The TMNP have indicated that they will not allow an habituated splinter troop to remain in the reserve and I have seen nothing to suggest the girls will unlearn their entrenched behaviour in such a way that could be acceptable to TMNP.

Although Baboon Matters would prefer all baboons to be free roaming and have agency to go where they want, when they want to; we recognise that the management options pursued by the BTT has created the situation whereby the four individual females will have little chance of joining a troop and living a “normal” baboon life unless it is within the safety of a sanctuary.

It is beholden on the BTT and residents to ensure that we provide the best possible scenario for them to live out their lives in such a sanctuary space and every effort must be made to ensure that there is a suitable enclosure and provision for food and vet care. Baboon Matters and other groups have been writing and objecting about the lack of a management plan and about the need to revise the systems, it must be clear that what happened to the Misty Cliffs troop is being played out in other scenarios – look at the Constantia troops as an example.

The lack of trust and transparency is a bitter reflection of the disparity between management and the public opinion; starting with the introduction of lethal protocol, exacerbated when 20 or 30 or 40 baboons went missing in Constantia in 2018 and now at a tipping point of frustration as we await the outcome of the Famous Four.

Addendum:
On Friday 1 November the CoCT hosted a feed-back meeting in Scarborough where we hoped the final decision for the four baboons would be made known. Presentations made by members of the Baboon Research Unit and the CoCT management reasoned that the four baboons could not remain living in the village and that although an electric fence was the preferred option there was not a required 60% resident buy-in to implement the electric fence. Without the electric fence the CoCT concluded that there were only two options available to the four; being relocation to a sanctuary (if one would agree to take them) or euthanasia. It was disappointing that after having waited so long for a public meeting the questions were limited to just 5 which clearly did not allow time to discuss or debate alternative options or the conclusion arrived at by the closed team.

We will keep you posted as this situation unfolds.

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Wildlife groups, I&APs and residents are calling for an immediate moratorium on killing baboons

Wildlife groups, I&APs and residents are calling for an immediate moratorium on killing baboons

In Cape Town, an immediate moratorium is now an urgent priority but a national moratorium is equally important when one considers, for example,  the incredibly high numbers of baboons killed in pine plantations monthly. 
 
For the moment, we want to focus on the Cape peninsula and the recent events that have resulted in this call to action.
 
Since it was implemented in 2010, Baboon Matters has opposed the Protocol for raiding baboons as we felt that the guidelines criminalise baboons, but in no way hold businesses, authorities or residents accountable to management of attractants that encourage baboons to come into human areas. Simply put, we understand more than most the difficulties of baboons in our homes but baboons are wild animals and the easy opportunities we create for baboons to take, meaning the more they will take them – baboons shouldn’t be classified as “criminals” because we forget to close the windows or put trash away securely, secure our property through means of considering the environment around and acting accordingly. 
 
Since the implementation of the Protocol, 74 baboons have been killed, yet there have been scant improvements to waste management, education or community awareness. The “baboon-proof” bins tendered by the City of Cape Town and delivered to key areas this year are proving problematic and are, reportedly, not baboon-proof.
Despite  the lack of overall improvement to waste management, and in the absence of any by-laws for baboon affected areas, 5 so-called “problem raiders” were killed in May and June, their main “crimes”  were listed as “being in the urban areas and acquiring human derived foods”; in other words getting food from our easily accessible trash. 

Making the issue even more urgent, and emotive, is the fact that the remaining four female baboons of the Misty Cliffs troop have been targeted for “euthanasia in terms of the protocol”.

The history of the Misty Cliffs troop is an horrific blot in the copybook of baboon management on the Cape peninsula. The Groot Olifantsbos (GOB) troop first became habituated to easy food rewards gained from Scarborough in early 2000; note that it took almost two years before monitors were employed to try and get the baboons out of the village, this was two years too long.
(Pay attention Hermanus and other villages – it is far harder to un-train clever baboons than it is to be proactive by employment of monitors and management of attractants to keep baboons out of urban areas.)
.
The main GOB troop spilt in 2012-13 and management had to contend with both the GOB and Misty Cliffs (MC) troops. Within overall management objectives, there had been little to no changes to policy or education – the game plan was use of aversion tactics and then removal of individuals…
So the MC troop was killed off – from 18 baboons down to just 3 adult females and 3 juveniles in April 2019. Then came the tragic road death of one juvenile, demonstrating just how vulnerable this small group are but it was the inexplicable death of the next juvenile, whose body was found floating in a swimming pool, that galvanized public outcry to save the remaining four baboons.

It is, perhaps, understandable that the authorities who sit on the BTT (Baboon Technical Team) have “gone to ground” as it were; baboon management came under fire in 2018 for the secretive issuance of hunting permits to two Cape wine estates (Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting) and the subsequent “disappearance” of 20 or 30 or 40 baboons – no report has ever been issued to explain what happened to the baboons and certainly there have been no real investigations or prosecution that we are aware of.

After the Constantia Killings had been leaked to the media, the BTT came under immense public scrutiny and the Baboon Liaison Group (supposedly representing the civic voice on baboon issues) simply disbanded. The BLG had not adequately fulfilled their role in reporting back to communities, but their total disappearance left a gaping hole in the flow of community input and public representation.

Key figures and groups in baboon management challenged the system and lack of accountability and in response Ward Councillor S. Leill-Cock hand-picked a few folk, dubbed them the CARBS (Councillor Appointed Reps Baboons South) and that was pretty much that. As far as we know there are no known purposes or objectives of the group and there have been no meetings between the CARBS and the BTT…

While the communities were lodging concerns and unhappiness, the machinations of the BTT quietly, carried on and in March 2019 a new protocol was silently slipped into place. The new protocol (link below) has substantially lowered the level of “acceptable” numbers of “raids” by baboons, and it is of concern to note that whereas in the original protocol “frequent raids” were noted at 5x per week; this has been dropped to now 4x per month! Category 3 (high risk behaviour) now allow for just one incident!

The problem with the protocol and its implementation is how incidents and “raids” are decided, the system seems inconsistent and influenced by complaints rather than accurate records of events.
The most recently killed baboon was Johnny Bravo, by all accounts a very unassuming character; but an unexpected appearance in a garden might be enough for some residents to phone the hotline and rant about an attacking baboon – is this fair or logical?
Regrettably it seems to happen all too often and many residents now do not want to call the official hotline in case their report is recorded as a complaint that may lead to the death of another baboon

How will the newly revised protocol affect baboons directly? According to the new criteria all four of the Misty Cliff girls should be “euthanised”, and for that matter so to should a great many baboons of the Da Gama and Waterfalls troops. What about the 6 baboons who hopped through a broken window into a local bakery and enjoyed gorgeous cakes – should they be killed too?

There undoubtedly is a great deal of emotion about the survival of the Misty Cliff four who have the limited choices of; electing to walk themselves back into the reserve (where they may be killed as were Slimkop, Moby, Sparky, Zamaka and others), or they can join “another troop” (not sure which one?) or they can stay in Scarborough (and then they will be killed in terms of the protocol).
The only slim chance that may offer long term solutions for these girls is if the proposed electric fence is approved by residents and all relevant landowners, that funding is made immediately available and that the BTT agree not to kill the girls while the fence is being installed.

The girls will not be given permits to go to a rehabilitation facility, sanctuary or any other land off the Cape peninsula.

And people are telling me the baboons “seem angry” at the moment – if I was a baboon I would be frankly furious!

But let’s remove the emotion and go back to the start, a call for a moratorium.
There is clear reason to stop killing baboons. Here are just two points; firstly there is enough demonstrable evidence to support the fact that a “landscape of fear”, aversion tactics and the killing of individual baboons has NOT solved the problem. 74 deaths demonstrate this. If the ideas had worked, baboons would be staying out of villages and none would be killed – clearly this is not the case

Secondly, the public do not want baboons killed and the authorities need to hear their voice. The issue has been raised many times over the years, but there is a new level of anger from the general public, they are frustrated at the lack of change, lack of transparency and on-going killing of baboons.

Baboon Matters and many other organisations are endorsing a letter to the BTT calling for an immediate moratorium of killing the Cape peninsula baboons. We will also be calling on the National Minister of Environment to implement a moratorium on killing baboons.

To inform all your own decision making, here are the original and revised protocols for baboon management, each can be found on these links:

http://www.baboons.org.za/images/Protocols/Protocol_For_Raiding_Baboons_July_2011.pdf

http://hwsolutions.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Guidelines-for-Baboon-Management-March-2019.pdf

Here’s what YOU can do to help Baboon Matters help baboons.

 


 

Getting a bite to eat at the “dirt” diner

Getting a bite to eat at the “dirt” diner

By Paula Pebsworth, PhD

M. Martin and P. Pebsworth collecting soil samples – Photo P Pebsworth

M. Martin and P. Pebsworth collecting soil samplesPhoto P Pebsworth

Did you know that people and other animals eat soil? Like, lots of animals and lots of soil?! I’ve studied soil eating for more than 10 years and still find this curious behavior absolutely fascinating. Soil eating is formally known as “geophagy” for non-human animals and “pica” for humans. It’s not eating a little bit of soil left on your fresh radishes – it’s purposely and deliberately eating soil. And it’s not just any old dirt. It’s special dirt that humans admit walking miles to reach because they crave it. Soil eaters can’t tell you why they crave soil, only that they do.

I study soil eating in monkeys and apes and I can’t tell you what goes through their minds but I think eating soil is like taking a multivitamin. Some days you need vitamin C from the mix, other days it’s potassium, and other days it’s like taking a Tums ®. I had the pleasure of moving with a large troop of chacma baboons for several years. During some seasons, they went to their favorite dirt dinner – every. single. day. That’s right – I said daily. It became clear that some individuals stayed there a long time while others dined and dashed. At the dirt diner – there was a couple of favorite “chairs”. If someone of higher rank was eating soil there, you had to wait your turn. This told me that they liked some soil better than others. As a good biologist, I tried the soil in several different places. I felt a bit like Goldilocks. One was too salty, one was too sandy, and one was just right – if soil in your mouth can be right. The “just right” soil was the one they waited their turn for. If you don’t believe me – see it for yourself here.

The other thing that surprised me was how long some of the pregnant females spent eating soil. My friends who study soil eating in humans have told me that there’s a strong association between soil eating and pregnancy. Hmmm….why might that be and what the heck can you get from eating dirt?!!

When I tell people about my research, they immediately tell me that animals must be eating soil for minerals. Well, maybe. The soil eaten by the troop of baboons that I studied was pink, ochre, and white. The preferred soil was white. Pink and ochre soil color usually indicates that it contains iron. If baboons ate the soil for iron then it would have to be available for the body. To test this idea, I used a fancy analysis to test whether the iron from the soil was bioavailable. Meaning that the stomach, small, and large intestine could break up the soil and the micronutrients found in the particles of clay could be released and absorbed by the body. It turned out that the iron wasn’t bioavailable and there was no difference in bioavailable iron between the pink and white soil. The iron was tightly bound inside small clay particles and the digestive process couldn’t break it up and free the iron. Obviously, some minerals are water soluble (like salt) so they are available but not all.

In addition to micronutrients, soil may be eaten because the fine clay particles commonly found in eaten soil can line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract – kind of like a mud mask. Soil can protect your GI tract from plant toxins, bacteria, and viruses. How do I know that you ask? Well, again I ran some tests in the lab and I measured plant toxins found in food eaten by the baboons. Then I measured the plant toxins again after I mixed it with the preferred soil and digested it under the same conditions of baboon stomachs. I found that the soil bound up tannins and alkaloids. This is great news as too many tannins can give you a stomach ache. Again, I suspect that soil eating serves a couple of purposes – micronutrients and protection. I’m not suggesting that we all start eating soil to cure what ails us, but I suspect that there will come a day when people will return to a simpler life without so many pharmaceutical drugs.
When that day comes, you might want to put some healing soil in your medicinal cabinet or grab a seat at your local dirt diner.

Adult female baboon eating soil  Photo P Pebsworth

Adult female baboon eating soil  Photo P Pebsworth

Best seats at the Dirt Diner - Photo P Pebsworth

Adult female baboon eating soil  Photo P Pebsworth

Juvenile at Geophagy Site - Photo P Pebsworth

Adult female baboon eating soil  Photo P Pebsworth

Are baboons, like most humans, right hand dominant?

Are baboons, like most humans, right hand dominant?

by Jenni Trethowan

In 2018, Baboon Matters covered a huge range across SA and in our travels, I noticed a number of baboons with missing limbs, in itself, this is not uncommon. But the more I noticed, the more I became aware that a lot of the baboons we “noticed” were missing their right hand.

When we arrived at Augrabies Falls to break one long stretch in the journey, we all immediately went into the reserve and one of the very first animals we spotted, sitting alone on a rock, was a female baboon nursing a badly injured right arm – most of her hand was off, bitten? broken? snared? We will never know.

Adult female baboon at Auragbies Falls nursing badly injured right hand

Adult female baboon at Auragbies Falls nursing badly injured right hand

A few weeks later, we were in Sodwala and there in the distance was a troop running and I immediately spotted that one of the large males was missing his right hand.

Our journeys took us on into Kruger and one of the first baboons we saw was a female again nursing a badly damaged right hand.

Kruger National Park - missing front right hand

Kruger National Park – missing front right hand

Adult female at Kruger National Park - most of her right hand is missing

Adult female at Kruger National Park – most of her right hand is missing

By now my interest was really piqued and when I started going back over our records of injured baboons here on the Cape, the baboons with injured or missing right hands was quite obvious – John Travolta (Tokai), Penny (Da Gama), Crookie (Da Gama), Bafana (Da Gama) and Dodger to name some of the baboons that immediately sprung to mind, but there are other baboons from troops such as Millers Point and Plateau Road who suffered loss of limbs due to electric burns but as those troops were not actively managed at that time accurate records of all the baboon injuries were not kept.

Crookie with missing right hand

Crookie with missing right hand

Penny missing right hand

Penny missing right hand

To me this seemed to be noteworthy, why would baboons appear to have more injuries to their right hand than their left hand, to my thinking it could be because they use their right hands more?

But then my investigations took a different angle; Nikita (Knysna) was snared on her left arm, as was Beatrice (Plateau Road). Did this simply mean that Nikita and Beatrice are left hand dominant? Or that snared baboons are caught on their left side.

Nikita - Snared on her left hand

Nikita – Snared on her left hand

I find the idea fascinating and spoke to Luzanne Kratz from Prime Crew and she immediately confirmed that most of her injured baboons suffering hand or arm injuries have the injury to their right side, except for Deborah who was snared on her left arm.

Adding to the theory of right-hand dominance is the fact that when I notice baboons starting to become angry or frustrated with troop members, they commonly use their right hand to “slap” the ground or as a sign of agitation.

I am not in any way an academic, but I did attempt to read up on this subject through online primatology publications, and it seems that when eating or undertaking manual tasks baboons can easily use both hands, think of them eating seeds off the ground or pulling berries off a tree; they have complete ambidextrous ability.
Likewise, grooming is an intense activity where both hands are used equally, fighting usually engages both hands, although I have witnessed baboons administering a hard slap (using right or left hand???….. now you are asking)

Perhaps next time you are out and about and see baboons pay attention to any baboons who might be missing limbs, which hand they appear to use most (if at all) and please let me know.
It would be really interesting to see if there is some sort of thread to these random observations of ours.

Update on Hunting Permits in Constantia

Update on Hunting Permits in Constantia

Update on Hunting Permits in Constantia

by Jenni Trethowan

When the Constantia Bulletin broke the news on 4 July 2018 that Cape Nature had issued permits to two vineyards to hunt up to two baboons per day, there was shock and confusion – confusion as we had always believed that the Cape peninsula baboons were protected from hunting, and shock that permits issued for one year would allow 2 baboons per day to be hunted. But more than that, there was outrage that right here in our own backyards baboons were being killed by commissioned professional hunters.

Following on from a well-attended protest action and as a result of letters of demand issued by the Cape Party, Buitenverwachting voluntarily withdrew its permits, and we are told that subsequently Klein Constantia has also withdrawn their permit.

In the ensuing weeks there has been a great deal of activity but the overall situation reflects a lack of information and what seems to be a steadily increasing number of unaccounted for baboons.

Here is what we know:

When the story broke it was reported that 7 baboons had been killed and that the elderly and weak had been targeted to emulate predation. Secondary media articles noted that specific damage causing baboons had been targeted, and from communications it seems that a semi-paralyzed male, and elderly female and an “injured” baboon had been identified as “problem” baboons and were some of the seven baboons killed. It is not clear if baboons were being targeted as “damage causing” or to reduce overall numbers.

Note that at this stage we were getting information only from the media as the BTT made no public statement.

When the service provider report for June 2018 was released, there was no mention of hunting permits, only that “some baboons had been removed”. But it was noted that 20 baboons were “missing”.

The HWS July 2018 report and the Annual Report for 2018 gave updated population tables and the ground count and census undertaken in June 2018 by HWS staff. From these reports is was clear that the situation was worse than had been initially reported. The population table (pg. 10 of the Annual Report) shows that despite 37 deaths in the northern population from July 2017 – June 2018, it was expected that the population of the northern troops would be 255 baboons – yet only 211 baboons were found.

Of huge concern is the dramatic decrease in the numbers of adult male. In her census of 2015, E Beamish recorded 31 adult males, however the June 2018 count found only 7 adult males – a loss of 24 adult male baboons over 3 years!

So from initial reports of 7 baboons killed, we move from 20 “missing” baboons to now 40 “missing” baboons.

But we are also “missing” a great deal of information. I am not alone in requesting information – various animal welfare organizations, civic groups and many concerned individuals have written to all the authorities asking for facts. We have requested detail such as: minutes of meetings where is issuance of permits was discussed/agreed/debated; attendance registers and agenda; communication detailing which baboon deterrents had been trialed on the affected vineyards; why electric fences at two locations appear to have failed in comparison to the Zwaanswyk electric fence where baboons are kept out of the area for a reported 98.8% of time.

We asked for details of recorded damage caused by baboons that would have led to Cape Nature issuing seemingly unrestricted permits allowing 2 baboons to be killed per day for one year.

We have also requested detail of the hunts – when did they take place, what were the ages and sexes of baboons killed.

The Cape Animal Rights Forum has used the Public Access to Information Act (PAIA) and requested specific detail. In terms of the Act, the City of Cape Town, Cape Nature and TMNP have 90 days to supply requested information, so although the request was sent weeks ago, we do not expect any detailed response until the time limit is up in October.

But the collective animal welfare organizations’ have also been proactive in offering help to try and shed some light on what the City of Cape Town has referred to as a “phenomenon” – the 40 “missing” baboons.

Baboon Matters has volunteered to count the northern troops to establish an independent ground count, and our colleagues from Prime Crew have offered their valuable time to assist – one would have thought that the TMNP and BTT would have been grateful to have had a joint team effort with experienced staff to pool their knowledge and proactively take on the immediate and necessary hours of ground work at no cost or detriment to themselves.

But our request to the BTT was deferred to TMNP, who said they had their own research personnel who could undertake the work, yet have not. Our further offer to assist was referred back to the BTT and our subsequent direct request for permission to count the troops has been ignored thus far.

We have been asked why we need permission to count the baboons. Well TMNP has made it very clear to me that all visitors to the TMNP have to remain on designated paths at all times – or face prosecution. Clearly the baboons do not remain on designated paths and so we would need access to the baboons, wherever they roam, to effectively count them.

So, in conclusion – the numbers of baboons killed or “missing” has risen from 7 to 20 to now 39 or 40 (I remain unclear on the actual final figure). We have received minimal information from the BTT and requests for an investigation into the disappearance of 40 baboons who are managed during daylight hours, 365 days per year need to be addressed.

The City officials have not answered any communications sent by Baboon Matters in the past 3 – 4 weeks.

Baboon Management in Cape Town needs a Management Plan!

Baboon Management in Cape Town needs a Management Plan!

Modern-day problems require modern solutions …

by Jenni Trethowan

The recent furor surrounding the issuance of permits that allowed professional hunters to kill baboons on two Constantia vineyards has highlighted the biggest problem with baboon management on the Cape peninsula – that there is no management plan for this isolated population of chacma baboons.

It has been interesting to note that, typically, when issues to do with baboons arise, the City of Cape Town immediately issues a media release on behalf of the Baboon Technical Team, a “co-operative” arrangement between role players of the City of Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park and Cape Nature who are guided by scientific input from the Baboon Research Unit of UCT and by welfare for the baboons from the Cape of Good Hope SPCA).

However, in the Constantia hunting case, there has been complete silence from the co-operative BTT, effectively leaving Cape Nature to defend the issuance of permits in isolation of overall baboon management on the Cape peninsula. We have witnessed individual role players actively diving for cover, denying knowledge of the permits or merely reiterating their mandates and roles in an attempt to defer any blame.

The BTT reportedly liaises with civic groups and residents through the Baboon Liaison Group and although neither the BTT nor the BLG have Terms of Reference, active constitutions or mandates, the two organizations meet regularly to discuss baboon management. However minutes of these meetings are continuously unavailable to the general public.

We are told that during the course of BTT/BLG meetings in 2017, the long held belief that baboons were protected from hunting on the Cape peninsula was dismissed and it was clarified that private landowners could in fact obtain permits to kill baboons through the permit process of Cape Nature. None of this information was conveyed to civic or interest groups.

Following on from the discussion of permits, it has been confirmed that at a meeting of both BTT and BLG on 9 November 2017, Cape Nature communicated the “issuance of permits” for two vineyards – Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting.

We are informed that all role players of both the BLG and BTT, including BRU and CGHSPCA were present at that meeting and all role players were aware that the vineyards could now use professional hunters to kill up to 2 baboons per day (according to the Cape Nature “bag limit”).

From media reports and discussions with some of the involved parties, it seems that both Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting felt that they had attempted all possible baboon- proofing and that there was no other solution available to them to resolve on-going conflicts.

Although the implementation of baboon-proofing and which aversion tactics were in fact utilized by the two vineyards can be questioned, it does seem that the only overall BTT “strategy” that exists, is to keep baboons away from humans – but how this “strategy” is accomplished appears to be at the discretion of individual land owners, leaving gaping holes in effective overall management.

The absence of an overall management plan, that should encompass the differing mandates, laws and regulations that govern the three authorities, has allowed the many differences of opinion and implementation of tactics to hamper effective long-term management.

In an open letter to the Constantia Bulletin, John Green, the long term chairman of the Baboon Liaison Group, denied any knowledge of the permits. In his letter he noted that successive fires had resulted in baboons coming closer to the urban edge and he specifically mentioned the fires of 2000, 2005 and 2015. He noted that the 2015 fire “had a huge additional impact: overnight the main food supply from the pines disappeared….”. John Green noted that after the 2015 fire the baboons “resisted moving up the mountain as the fynbos had been destroyed and the cold winter months were approaching.”

It would seem logical that the fires, the clear-felling of the plantation and the extreme drought, which would have impeded fynbos recovering after the fires, have all resulted in baboons seeking food in the lower plantations and in the vineyards. However, the chief scientific advisor to the BTT, Prof O’Riain stated that the fires “created a windfall of food, as the pine trees released their seeds …”.

From urine and fecal samples collected, the Baboon Research Unit was convinced that one month after the fire of 2015 the baboons were in a good nutritional state. It would be enlightening to see how their nutritional state has fared in the ensuing 36 months since the 2015 fires, with the clear felling removing a major food source and the drought stunting recovery of vegetation – have the baboons maintained a good ”nutritional state”? Are more recent findings available?

As the tendered service provider to the City of Cape Town, HWS provides monthly reports on the management of the ten troops under their care. The reports of 2017 into 2018 negated any concerns about food and water availability, and direct questions and concerns tabled to the conservation authorities were dismissed – we were told there was plenty of food and water for all ten troops.

Yet in the HWS annual report, Dr. Richardson makes specific mention of the impact of the fires, felling of pines and impact of the drought on vegetation – this is in direct contrast to their own monthly reports.

A key factor in strategizing and planning management of baboons should be sleep site areas, and on the Cape peninsula, baboons have utilized alien trees for not only food but also for sleep sites.

The Constantia Bulletin quoted Prof. O’Riain from a study published in 2011, whereby he warned the wine farmers that the “removal of pine trees on SANparks land through harvesting would result in baboons tracking the remaining large alien trees in the area. Given that most of those are on the wine farms, we warned of impending increase in baboon presence…….” . The statement goes on to say that BRU recommended removal of the alien trees, fencing and rangers. However, a recent visit to the area shows that the last groves of alien trees are all on the boundaries of the vineyards, or within the farms, and it seems that the troops actively use the areas as roosting sites – clearly such close proximity to the farms could see an increase in conflicts.

Buitenverwachting and Klein Constantia maintain that they have, collectively, installed 5,5km of electric fencing to keep the baboons out of their properties. From comments made by the vineyards, it seems, that trees on TMNP land frequently fall onto their fence line thereby allowing baboons access onto their lands.

If TMNP already has a policy of clear-felling, it would seem to make more sense, as part of an overall baboon management plan, to remove pines closest to the urban area first and leaving some temporary stands of pines on the upper stretches of the plantations, thus encouraging baboons to go back up the mountain for some food and also providing roosting sites away from farms and habitation.

However, SANparks are managing their land to the exclusion of all alien vegetation – regardless of impact on animals who have adapted to the trees over very extended periods of time, the lack of transitionary plans does appear to have impacted negatively on the baboons and the knock-on effect could be the increase in conflict with the vineyards.

The one common denominator in baboon management appears to be baboon rangers. The City of Cape Town employs a service provider whose rangers do their best to keep baboons out of urban areas. Yet even this service falls foul to differing mandates and implementation – the rangers work daily in Da Gama Park and Waterfall Barracks (Navy owned land), they traverse large tracts of privately owned land (such as Baskloof Nature Reserve, Solole and Kompaniestuin) to keep tabs of their various managed troops.

The City employed rangers work in residential areas (frequently going onto privately owned property) and on herd the troops on TMNP land daily – yet they are not “mandated” to work on the wine farms meaning that the service provider is left waiting for baboon troops outside the vineyards and are reliant on vineyard staff to work effectively to get the baboons safely out of the vineyards..

The problem with differing land owners working to their own mandates, rules and regulations is that there is no cohesive baboon management plan – badly managed waste on Navy land attracts baboons into the area; food waste attracts baboons into light industrial areas of Fish Eagle Park, and pine trees are a preferred roosting site and provide food – but the expectation is that as long as those attractions are on your land you must manage the situation.

For baboons the consequences of human mismanagement are dire – if baboons trespass or become “problematic” in their efforts to get to food, sleep sites or even water points – they can be killed. The Cape peninsula baboons face a variety of violent and aggressive outcomes, surrounded as they are by dense urbanization . Death by professional hunters, TMNP snipers, shot by pellet guns, mauled by dogs, hit by a car or electrocuted – not great options for our chacmas!

A grim observation is that when baboon management first stated in 2001, there were minimal budgets – the biggest allocation coming in 2007 of approximately R800 000, almost R8500 per “managed baboon” pa. However, in recently presented management data Prof. O’Riain stated the current R12 million p.a. equates to R25 000 per baboon pa.

Until mid-2009 only three (Slangkop, Da Gama and Scarborough) of the ten troops had daily monitors and management, and despite the restricted management an average of 26 baboons were killed annually on the Cape peninsula, with approximately 40% of deaths as a result of humans – cars, dogs and pellet guns being the main causes of deaths (E. Beamish Thesis 2010).

Conversely for the period 2012 – 2018, the numbers of baboons killed annually has almost doubled, with an average of 52 baboons killed p.a. Although the Human Induced Deaths (HID) may have dropped in the last two years, the numbers of deaths due to unknown causes have increased dramatically from 1 unknown cause in 2012 to 13 unknown causes in 2018. It seems unusual to be unable to cite the cause of death in daily managed troops and the fact that this category has risen so dramatically is cause for concern, and also cause to question the veracity of reporting.

What the figures seem to be showing us is that bigger budgets and more aggressive tactics have resulted in more deaths annually than in the period 2002 – 2009, suggesting that although there is a lot more money allocated, an encompassing management plan is desperately needed.

There has been talk of a steady population growth, yet this growth is contained mainly in the northern sector where the 4 troops have increased by 79 baboons over the 5.5 years of currently recorded data. In real terms this equates to an average increase of just 3 baboons per troop per annum.

In the six troops of the south, for the same period of 2012 to 2018, the total increase is 30 baboons – an average of 5 baboons per annum, over 6 troops. This slow population “increase” is evident in the Groot Olifantsbos troop, for example, where there was not one recorded birth over a three year period.

The baboon population must be viewed in light of ever encroaching urbanization as well as a realistic review of available natural forage after the successive fires and climate change impacts to the fynbos. Although previous studies indicate that the carrying capacity for baboons was much higher than the current population, these studies may need to be reviewed.

If the carry capacity of available land is indeed marginalized by landscape change there needs to be proactive planning in place now and successful birth control strategies need to be implemented before the population is deemed to be “out of control”. Immunocontraception has been used successfully in primate rehabilitation facilities, elephant herds and many wildlife management projects and could be implemented on the Cape peninsula instead of lethal management tools – this would be an effective way to ensure that the population does not exceed the carrying capacity of available land.

The lack of accountability for overall baboon management appears to suit the role players very well and the debatable decision handed down in the high court ruling of 2016 has merely endorsed an unwritten co-operative agreement that is not backed up by a documented and cohesive management plan.

The Table Mountain National Park is one of only two national parks surrounded by urban areas in the world and it is clear that managing an open access park will present many challenges not only for the park but also for the landowners abutting the park. It is essential that the buffer zone is implemented and that the co-operative agreement is translated into a meaningful management plan so that there is clear accountability and transparency.

The role-players of the Baboon Technical Team need to realise that the modern age, problems facing the isolated population of chacma baboons need modern solutions and that the outdated lethal management options are no longer acceptable to the general public who are increasingly aware of more ethical and sustainable alternatives.