Cape Town - Conservation groups and activists have welcomed the joint decision by the authorities to relocate Scott, a young dispersing male baboon from the Smitswinkel Bay troop to the Da Gama troop.
The decision was taken by the City, CapeNature and Cape of Good Hope SPCA over the weekend, following public pressure from interest groups to have the baboon relocated.
This is after concerns arose about his safety in the urban area and the potential negative interactions between the community and the baboon. The baboon has been inside the urban space in Simon’s Town since October.
In a joint statement, the City said SWB12 would be captured once the situation allows, and released on City owned land in the vicinity of the Da Gama troop. It said NCC Environmental Services would undertake the capturing with the Cape of Good Hope SPCA present.
However, the City warned that the integration could take months and may need to be considered as a last resort.
Jenni Trethowan of Baboon Matters said they were pleased that Scott was allowed to settle with the Da Gama troop.
“Scott was a dispersing male – looking for a new troop to join to start his family unit. Unlike Kataza who was not dispersing and had remained with his natal troop. The Da Gama troop had recently lost two of its adult males and so Scott may be able to integrate with this troop.
“We believe that the protocols and guidelines governing baboon management need to be reviewed as do the City of Cape Town managers who use, or don’t use, the guidelines to make decisions,” said Trethowan.
Toni Brockhoven of Beauty Without Cruelty said Scott’s relocation would make things better for him and that the authorities must allow him time to integrate.
“We cannot continue treating baboons as if they are criminals. Baboons do not raid but forage, and we have to find better ways to manage them.
“We sit in baboon management workshops that have input from civil society and the authorities, and we are looking forward to a positive outcome for the benefit of the baboon,” Brockhoven said.
“The most important thing that needs to be implemented is proper waste management and the education of people who live in the areas, and choose to move into areas where there are baboons, on how to interact or not with them and ensuring that stay in their own spaces.
“Humans cause attractants by littering and leaving food in view of the baboons who are travelling or dispersing,” she said.