Activists say they are still finding far too many baboons with air-rifle wounds across the Peninsula and are calling on the community to report these crimes.
In the latest incident, a baboon known in the False Bay Community as Blondie (TK66) was found dead in Palace Hill Road on Saturday morning 5 April after succumbing to a gunshot wound to the chest.
A resident had called the Cape Baboon Partnership (CBP) hotline at 08:40 after spotting a baboon staggering down Palace Hill Road before collapsing on the side of the road.
When CBP staffers arrived on the scene the animal was already dead.
Blondie was a popular Cape Peninsula Baboon known to roam through Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek frequently, according to a spokesperson at the Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation, Lynda Silk.
CPCC is a non-profit organisation (NPO) that focuses on educating the community on the importance of biodiversity, through various projects such as Baboon Wise, Nature Club and Safe in the Sea, according to its website.
Silk explained that the dispersal of male baboons remained a constant issue and increased the threat of attacks on primates.
“When male baboons reach adulthood they have an instinct to move from the troop they were born in to a different troop,” she explained. “This instinct ensures healthy genetics within troops. ‘Blondie’ was given this nickname because of his unusually fair fur.
“He was a mature adult male who journeyed from the Tokai troop through Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Elsie’s Peak, Glencairn to Simonstown. Here he had began engaging with the Waterfall baboon troop, seeking to integrate with them.
“There had been some conflict, as is usual when a new baboon tries to join a troop. He had been in the area only for five days when he was killed.”
Belinda Abraham, spokesperson at the Cape of Good Hope SPCA, confirmed an investigation was underway.
“Shark Spotters facilitated the autopsy and we are awaiting post-mortem investigation to give a formal cause of death. The wound on his chest suggests he was shot.”
The Cape Baboon Partnership confirmed Blondie’s death was caused by a gunshot from a high-powered air rifle, according to their spokesperson Kim Leeuwner.
“We are still awaiting official communication from the vet who performed the post-mortem, but we can confirm that his death was the result of a shot from a high-powered air rifle. Several other air-rifle pellets were also found within his body from earlier incidents.”
She stressed that the use of weapons against baboons remained a constant issue across the Peninsula.
“At least 90% of baboons that are x-rayed for veterinary reasons in the Peninsula invariably have at least one metal pellet lodged in their body. Baboons are conferred legal protection from harm under several acts, but proving who committed an offence can prove extremely challenging as witnessess are often reluctant to report their experiences to the authorities.
“We would, however, like to encourage witnesses to illegal behaviour pertaining to baboons to reach out to the baboon hotline on 071 588 6540.”
It, however, was not possible to determine exactly where the baboon was when he was shot.
That the baboon was seen staggering down Palace Hill Road, where he subsequently collapsed at the side of the road was reported by a resident, who called the hotline around 08:40 on Saturday 5 April to report what they had seen.
This, in turn, alerted the Cape Baboon Partnership field manager, who arrived only to find that the baboon had already died.
Said Leeuwner: “We welcome reports from eyewitnesses and anybody with any information on what happened to Blondie can contact our inspectorate directly on 021 700 4158/9 (24-hour number), email inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za or make a report online using the link https://capespca.co.za/services/inspectorate-department/report-cruelty/. Reports can be made anonymously.”
