- A confrontation in Kommetjie saw animal rights activist Pauline Studdards defending a baboon troop from an aggressive group of residents, resulting in the baboon being pepper-sprayed and injured.
- The incident, which was condemned by the SPCA and other organisations, highlights ongoing tensions between wildlife advocates and local communities.
- The SPCA is pursuing legal action against those responsible for harming the baboon.
An image of a lone woman facing a small crowd of angry stick-wielding residents in an attempt to protect a resident baboon troop in Kommetjie captured a tense moment where, minutes earlier, a baboon was pepper sprayed and attacked on Sunday 4 August.
The image on social media identifies the woman as animal rights activist Pauline Studdards, who reportedly stood her ground.
In the Facebook post, Green Group Simon’s Town, an environmental awareness non-profit organisation (NPO), claimed a group of predominantly men ganged up against Studdards.
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“A powerful photo that sums up what animal rights people succumb to almost daily, but on Sunday evening in the coastal town of Kommetjie – animal rights activist Pauline Studdards was ganged up on by a group of local residents, predominantly made up of men,” the post read.
Luana Pasanisi, Green Group Simon’s Town director, tells People’s Post that activists often deal with bullies. “Simon’s Town is rife with bullies both of baboons and volunteers, we experience it daily,” she claimed.
“Unfortunately, it really does seem that the authorities side with bullies and give them a platform to not only misinform the community and authorities but also cause further unnecessary conflict.”
In several videos of the incident sent to People’s Post, a baboon can be seen staggering as it slowly tries to reach a rooftop as a woman yells: “He is going to fall, he has been sprayed.”
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA strongly condemned the incident which left the baboon visually impaired.
Unlawful
“This aggressive and unlawful act saw residents wielding sticks and using pepper spray against the baboons as they neared the town to roost, causing significant distress and harm to the animals,” the statement read.
According to the SPCA, the disorientated baboon suffered more injuries after it was electrocuted while attempting to escape.
“The Cape of Good Hope SPCA inspectors intervened, rescuing the injured baboon and transporting it to our wildlife department for urgent care.
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The SPCA is collecting evidence to proceed with a criminal case.
Chief Inspector Jaco Pieterse has since issued a stern warning to members of the public who take the law into their own hands.
“Taking matters into your own hands and inflicting harm on wildlife is not only illegal but also morally reprehensible,” he said.
“Be assured, we will pursue justice aggressively for these acts of cruelty. No one is above the law.”
‘Saddening’
In response to the SPCA statement, Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation (CPCC) chair Lynda Silk said it was saddening that people gathered to intentionally harm baboons.
“We remind the public that any large gatherings require a permit from the City and we strongly call for the law and its enforcement agencies, to contain this action and act without restraint against those who broke the law.”
She added that the baboon concern in Cape Town’s Southern Suburbs and South Peninsula is a juxtaposition of a lack of civic education with a lack of environmental awareness.
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“Individuals, communities, and organisations will vent out in frustration, partly owing to lack of knowledge and understanding as well as lack of agency and a feeling of helplessness,” she commented.
“This is increasingly exacerbated by the knowledge that the funded baboon ranger programme ends at the end of this year, with no workable and budgeted plan in place for ongoing baboon management.”
She called for calm to prevail. “Whilst cruel actions do happen, we wish to remind all that the majority of residents on the Peninsula are peaceful and tolerant towards baboons,” concluded Silk.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call the Cape of Good Hope SPCA’s Inspectorate on 021 700 4158/9 or contact them via email at inspectorate@spca-ct.co.za
