An expert has warned that conflict between humans and baboons is spiralling out of control in Simon's Town where two of the creatures were recently shot dead.
Baboon fatalities and injuries are likely to increase in the absence of an effective baboon management strategy to keep them out of urban areas.
The warning comes as an investigation continues into the circumstances around the shootings, possibly involving an air gun or rifle.
“Our data reveal that the more time baboons spend in urban areas the more likely they are to be injured or die from a human-related cause which typically involves severe trauma and suffering,” said University of Cape Town Biological Sciences Professor Justin O’Riain, who visited Simon's Town this week to monitor the situation.
“In our experience and the recent findings of social science surveys, few residents wish to harm baboons but there is a point where frustration, fear and even revenge take over and residents attempt to either deter or kill baboons. This is the classic lose-lose scenario of a conflict that is spiralling out of control,” O’Riain told TimesLIVE Premium.
Cape Town's southern suburbs of Simon's Town and Kommetjie are the “ground zero” of human-baboon conflict, though opinion is divided over whether baboons and humans should be segregated. Some residents consider the troops an asset to the town, particularly tourism, despite ongoing raiding. But others are frustrated by an apparent inability to contain baboon troops, particularly those now mostly resident in the suburbs, such as the Simon's Town Troop which regularly overnights inside the navy barracks.
“While many people are remarkably tolerant of these incursions there are those who have had enough and sensing that the authorities are not heeding their legitimate requests to keep baboons out of urban areas for both their and the baboons’ benefit,” O’Riain said. “When people are not heard despite having legitimate concerns then they are more likely to take the law into their own hands. Our data reveal that more baboons are dying of causes linked to urban areas than at any other stage since data collection began.”
Steve White, coordinator of the Kommetjie Baboon Action Group (KBAG) said waste management was key to keeping baboons out of the suburbs. Kommetjie faced a barrage of baboon invasions last year when a troop set up residence in a derelict building. “As we previously warned, the more baboons are out of control, the more it is likely for citizens to take the law into their own hands.”
“We have witnessed this recently with the killing of two baboons in Simon's Town. One was a dispersing male from Tokai and the other a male from the Waterfall troop.
“Discharging a firearm in a built-up area without due cause is illegal as is killing a protected species, which the Chacma Baboon is on the Cape Peninsula.
“As KBAG we condemn this in the strongest terms. There are processes and guidelines in place and we hope the public will use these to air their grievances,” White said.
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA this week appealed for assistance with their investigation into the shootings, which happened within just over one week. “The Cape Baboon Partnership are facilitating the postmortems and we are awaiting the outcomes which will help us understand whether the baboons were killed instantaneously and if not, the degree of suffering prior to their death. Even with evidentiary proof of suffering, the SPCA will need eyewitnesses to come forward with reports that could help us identify a perpetrator,” said SPCA spokesperson Belinda Abraham. “Nothing justifies illegal, unethical or cruel behaviour.”
The latest shootings caused widespread outrage, particularly in Simon's Town where many troop members are well-known. Earlier this year social media lit up with pictures of baboons being ushered across a zebra crossing on the main road.
A baboon affectionately known as “Blondie” was found dying on Palace Hill Road on April 5, and the body of a second baboon was recovered nearby a week later on April 13.
Abraham said the City of Cape Town-managed Shark Spotters team had recently partnered with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team. “They need to be afforded the opportunity to bring about the change we all hope to see and we all need to work with them towards solutions, and a shared respect for life,” Abraham said.
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