Embracing Coexistence: Cape Town's Journey with Baboons
Discover the fascinating coexistence of baboons and Cape Town's suburbs, as locals strive to bridge the gap between human and primate neighbors A captivating challenge in maintaining harmony with these curious creatures
Located on the outskirts of Cape Town, the chacma baboon, native to southern Africa, has adapted to urban living and is frequently spotted foraging in rubbish bins and backyards.
The majority of these primates primarily inhabit the hills and slopes on the outskirts of Cape Town. However, their usual feeding grounds are on the flat lowground, which happens to be where urban development has encroached in recent years. This has led to a conflict in the urban area, as many residents are unhappy with the presence of the primates.
Researcher Esme Beamish, from Cape Town University's Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, suggests that it is natural for baboons to explore urban areas in search of food. "Our environments are appealing to baboons due to the abundance of food, beautiful gardens, bins, and recreational spaces," she explains. "Even with perfect baboon-proofing, they would still be drawn to these areas."
Baboons overlooking Cape Town.
Baboon Matters
Easy access to food from Cape Towns bins means baboons can spend less time and energy foraging, and more on socializing with potential mates and the rest of their group, adds Beamish.
The baboons and humans both face repercussions from these interactions. Some baboons have clashed with locals and their pets, while others have damaged the crops of farmers and winemakers while foraging for food. Beamish is worried about the well-being of the baboons, citing their encounters with dogs, vehicles, and power lines as major sources of harm and mortality.
The current state of the population is not in good health, with many suffering from skin conditions due to excessive time spent in bins and poor dental health. Previous efforts by the local council and residents to address these issues have included measures to reduce food waste, the use of "baboon-proof" bins, and the introduction of fences in 2013 to keep baboons out.
In some instances, residents have resorted to shooting the monkeys with pellet guns and particularly aggressive, or "problematic," baboons have been euthanized.
Baboons raid a tourist's car on the outskirts of Cape Town.
Schalk van Zuydam/AP
Baboon sightings on city streets have decreased slightly, but there are concerns that they could vanish from their natural habitats if they are restricted too much. The city has proposed building more fences in September to keep the baboons in rural areas.
The initial proposal includes installing fences at various locations along the top of Cape Peninsula, which is a natural habitat for the baboons. Additionally, more fences have been suggested for the outskirts of western Cape Town suburbs. By limiting access to these abundant areas, the goal is to ensure that more baboons stay in the hillsides.
Jenni Trethowan, the founder of Baboon Matters, a conservation group, concurs that separating the primates from humans is the best solution for both parties. "If we keep it challenging, the baboons will hopefully choose to stay away," she suggests.
