A non-profit organisation (NPO) dedicated to the conservation of baboons in South Africa, says baboons have little to no protection and that a baboon management plan is urgently needed.
Currently there are two dispersing male baboons in the South Peninsula, with one being relocated to the Eastern Cape.
Jenni Trethowan, of the NPO Baboon Matters Trust, says there is no strategic management plan to protect baboons.
“There is currently no strategic management plan for baboons that I have been provided with per requests; this suggests that the last management plan was written in 2002 by Kansky and Gaynor.
“Although the 2002 is a very good plan, after 20 years it would be appropriate to review and update taking cognisance of rapid landscape change (urbanisation) as well as very different management techniques.
“Baboons have little to no protection in law, the Animal Protection Act of 1962, was last updated in 1993 but makes no provision for wild, free-roaming animals.”
Commenting on whether there is a baboon management plan in place, Petro Van Rhyn from Cape Nature, said the City has a comprehensive baboon management plan.
“The City of Cape Town indeed has a comprehensive Baboon Management plan. However, I cannot comment on their behalf.”
Eddie Andrews, the City’s deputy mayor and Mayco member for spatial planning and environment, said Cape Nature is responsible for conservation, animal control and veterinary services.
“These are the foundation to any baboon management plan. The City becomes involved only when a baboon enters the urban space, and this is why we have the Urban Baboon Programme, aimed at keeping baboons out of the urban areas as far as possible so that they remain wild and keep to their natural habitat.”
He says there is consensus that a plan is needed.
“The City will be an important roleplayer in the process to achieve this, under the leadership and guidance of Cape Nature,” says Andrews.
