‘Let’s hope common sense prevails’ – Baboon Matters on proposed troop removal

Amy MacIver (in for CapeTalk’s Clarence Ford) speaks with Barbara Friedman about this and other stories trending online.

Listen below:

The population of the Cape Peninsula baboon troops has increased over the last few years, creating challenges for both the animals and residents of the area.

These troops reportedly have little access to land for foraging, and rangers are struggling to keep them out of urban areas.

To manage this, the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) is proposing the removal of five smaller splinter troops.

Their statement suggests the baboons will either be rewilded, placed in a sanctuary, or euthanised.

Jenni Trethowan of Baboon Matters says it is unacceptable to propose killing healthy animals.

She adds that they have put forward suggestions for years to manage the baboons, but those have been ignored.

“They wait for years old problems, with no mitigation, and that is what we are all so annoyed about.” 

- Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters 

She says the baboons, especially the northern population, should be kept at Table Mountain National Park and baboon-proof bins should be placed in other areas.

“One would just hope that good sense prevails.”

- Jenni Trethowan of Baboon Matters 

CPBMJTT will share the proposed plan with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG) for comment by mid-June.

RELATED: Baboon Matters calls for urgent probe into spate of baboon killings in Constantia

The troops that will be removed are:

•           CT1, found north of Constantia Nek,
•           CT2, found north of Constantia Nek all the way to Kirstenbosch and Constantia Village
•           Waterfall troop, found on the southern border of Simon’s Town
•           Seaforth troop, found north of Murdoch Valley
•           Da Gama4, found around Welcome Glen, Glencairn and the Da Gama residential areas

Read their full statement here.

Scroll up to the audio player for more.