- Two familiar baboons, Quinton and Lips, have gone missing in the Southern Cross area, worrying locals and conservationists.
- Extensive searches have been conducted, but both animals remain unaccounted for.
- The community is rallying to locate them, urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Southern Cross community is increasingly concerned over the unexpected disappearance of two familiar baboons, Big Lad Quinton and Lips.
Known for their strong presence in the area, both males have vanished without a trace within days of each other.
Quinton, a beloved baboon who rarely strays far from his troop, was last seen on Monday night, 29 October.
Meanwhile, Lips, who had been moving around the Old Constantia Village area, was last sighted on Friday 25 October.
The twin disappearances have left residents, volunteers, and conservationists deeply unsettled.
Volunteers from Baboon Matters initially noticed Quinton’s absence and conducted an extensive search throughout De Hel and the Diep River Trail, areas he frequents with his troop.
Despite their efforts, Quinton remains unaccounted for, and the troop, now roosting anxiously, has shown visible signs of distress. “The troop is not relaxed at all,” Baboon Matters reported, capturing the unease that has spread among both animals and locals.
Resident Lynette Johnson voiced her distress: “My heart sank reading this on social media. Quinton is never without his troop, and I can’t bear thinking that something terrible could have happened to him.” Another resident, Desiree van Nierop, shared similar sentiments, saying, “I pray that he will be found safe and unharmed.”
Diep River Trail, Bellevue Avenue
The community is mobilising. Volunteers and concerned locals are scouring popular baboon paths, including the Diep River Trail and Bellevue Avenue, while others share frequent updates on social media, pleading for any information that might lead to the baboons’ safe return. All sightings are urged to be reported immediately to Bonita at 083 444 4674 or Jennie at 084 413 9482.
This incident has also sparked a wave of questions and comments on social media. Some, like Jenny McNulty, are demanding answers and accountability from CapeNature: “Two of them missing is just too much of a coincidence. No warning, no discussion, no consultation? This is unacceptable. The Constantia Nek troop is a peaceful, well-managed troop thanks to private funding and residents.
Beyond the immediate search, residents and conservation groups are reaching out to CapeNature.
The CPBMJTT (Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team) used the opportunity to inform residents that a male baboon (CON18 – Lips) has been euthanised following deliberation by the CPBMJTT.
“This intervention is in line with the approved and adopted set of baboon management guidelines”.
The CPBMJTT accepts that not all residents or stakeholders will be in support of such decisions. “We are confident that these decisions, although difficult, are robust, rational, and based on the best available information and scientific advice”
The task team said “Euthanasia is one of several tools in the baboon management toolkit included in the Baboon Strategic Management Plan, recently presented at public engagements”.
