Cape Peninsula Baboon action plan approved by City of Cape Town

The Cape Peninsula Baboon Action Plan has been approved by the City of Cape Town, SANParks, and CapeNature. The plan introduces sanctuaries, fencing, waste management measures, and population controls to manage five baboon troops across the Cape Peninsula. It aims to protect both humans and wildlife while ensuring sustainable management of local baboon populations.

Five key components of the Cape Peninsula baboon action plan

Within the framework of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Action Plan, five critical interventions are outlined.

• Sanctuary creation: Build purpose-designed baboon sanctuaries along Plateau Road.
• Northern fencing: Install a baboon-proof barrier stretching from Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek.
• Waste management strategy: Introduce baboon-proof bins and enforce strict waste disposal protocols.
• Urban wildlife by-law: Enact new legislation with a zero-tolerance approach to baboon interference, per the action plan.
• By-law enforcement: Implement hard boundaries and enforce strict population control measures.

Troop relocation timeline

The plan sets clear deadlines for relocating the affected baboon troops as part of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Action initiative:

• Seaforth troop: Relocate to sanctuary by February 2026
• Waterfall troop: Relocate to sanctuary by September 2026
• CT1 & CT2 troops: Relocate to mountainside by May/June 2026

As part of the broader Cape Peninsula Baboon initiative, healthy males will undergo vasectomies, and only healthy animals will be relocated.

Infrastructure and safety measures

Key infrastructure developments include plans under the Cape Peninsula Baboon Action framework:

• Northern fence: Complete construction by July 2026, from Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek
• Baboon-proof bins: Deploy in high-impact areas by May 2026
• Sanctuary trial: Start with a 1.5-hectare enclosure on private land, featuring underground power cables to reduce electrocutions

Also read : Vision 2040: SANParks’ ambitious strategy for the future of conservation

Population management rules

The plan sets strict population limits for sustainability drawing from the Cape Peninsula Action initiative:

• Northern troops: Maximum 250 baboons (currently 234)
• Southern troops: Maximum 175 baboons (currently 164)

Under the Cape Peninsula Baboon Action guidelines, humane euthanasia will be considered if populations exceed limits for six months or longer. No new troops will be allowed in transformed areas.

Ongoing review and updates

The Cape Peninsula Baboon Action Plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with strategic goals and emerging research in baboon action strategies. The next formal review is scheduled for 2030.

Read the full Cape Peninsula Baboon Action Plan here: Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Action Plan 2025