This isn’t the first time in a year that a male baboon has been shot with a pellet gun in Da Gama Park. Last year July, a similar incident occurred, where upon entering the homes of the local naval personnel and their families, shots have been fired. This time, however, the baboon escaped only to climb up a tree and receive a brutal attack of stones thrown by children in the area. The baboon died, falling out of the tree and into a river below, from where his body was retrieved by a field manager from Human Wildlife Solutions.

SA Navy fleet communications officer, commander Cara Pratten, said they would not be commenting at this stage.

Baboons are a protected species and it is illegal to shoot them, yet this has not deterred people from harming them. Charges against any culprit are laid under the Animal Protection Act. A Scarborough resident suspected of shooting two baboons is expected to appear in court next week.

A male baboon was spotted in Wynberg on Monday, roaming around the village:

The baboon, originally from the Constantia Troop, and known as CON4, was darted in Wynberg and taken to Smitswinkel Bay. Within 24 hours he appeared to have successfully dispersed into the Cape Point Nature Reserve to join new troops. Males disperse when sexually mature to find unrelated females. They move between troops looking for mating opportunities but can be vulnerable during this time. CON4 is a collared baboon so his movements will be able to be detected.

Council vet Dr Elzette Jordan said the current alpha male of the Smitswinkel group also lacked aggression so they were hopeful CON4 would be able to add to the genetic pool.

Baboons have always been a part of the lives of those who reside in mountainous areas, but the recent increase in fires has limited their natural resources. Another, more concious Scarborough resident, Ushka Devi, suggested this as a way to overcome their disturbance:

Here she is in my kitchen! One of 2 females who with their babies are the remnants of the Misty Cliff troop. She grabbed the rye bread took a bite and threw it down. With no apology to our illustrious bakery. She went for the bananas. I yelled. “Not the bananas! What about our smoothies?!” I clapped. Instantly she used a hand to cover her baby and half the bananas dropped to the ground. Basta! 50-50. Win-win. What’s all the fuss with rangers and paintballs and bearbangers? We handled this elegantly, woman to woman.

To be fair, if they pose a problem, perhaps you should move.

[source: iol]