Table Mountain National Park

Joint media release: Baboon management on the Cape Peninsula

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Date: 6th September 2012

31 August 2012 - It is confirmed that the euthanasia of a male raiding baboon took place this week on the Cape Peninsula. The euthanasia took place in order to reduce the frequency and severity of raiding behaviour by chacma baboons on the Cape Peninsula.

The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus) forms a part of the Peninsula’s rich biodiversity, is a considerable tourism asset and plays a potentially significant ecological role in the Cape Floristic Region.  Under current management programmes, the Peninsula baboon population (475 at last census) is growing steadily and is not endangered or under threat.

Baboon management on the Cape Peninsula is undertaken jointly by the City of Cape Town, South African National Parks (SANParks) and Cape Nature who are known collectively as the Baboon Technical Team (BTT).

Raiding Baboons

Although baboons should forage in the natural spaces on the Peninsula they are often fed or have access to urban areas and human food, which results in raiding behaviour. The BTT work together to manage raiding baboons on the Cape Peninsula and their actions aim to reduce the frequency and severity of raiding behaviour. 

Raiding behaviour is considered to be a threat to human health, terrorises local residents and causes significant damage to homes and property. It is conducted primarily by males who often separate from the main troop taking some females and juveniles with them to form a raiding splinter troop or continue raiding on their own. 

Management decisions by the authorities regarding raiding baboons are subject to assessment by recognised wildlife management experts and are supported by academic research and elected civic representatives living on the Peninsula.

A wide range of City of Cape residents are elected to the Baboon Liaison Group which is made up of representatives from the Constantia Property Owners Association, Scarborough Residents & Ratepayers Association, Kommetjie Residents & Ratepayers Association, Misty Cliffs Village Association, Ocean View Civic Association, Tokai Residents Association, Zwaanswyk Residents Association and the Simon’s Town Civic Association. This group meets regularly with the BTT. 

Jointly issued by:
City of Cape Town, Cape Nature and SANParks

Media enquiries:
Merle Collins
SANParks
021 712 2337
merle.collins@sanparks.org