CAPE TOWN - Cape Town authorities have appealed to the public to not follow or interfere with a newly relocated Smitswinkel Bay male baboon as he attempts to integrate with the Da Gama troop.
In a joint statement, CapeNature, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA (CGHSPCA) and the City of Cape Town said the baboon, named SWB12, was captured on Tuesday morning and released on City-owned land in the vicinity of the Da Gama troop.
The City’s service provider, NCC Environmental Services, undertook the capturing with the CGHSPCA present.
On December 10, a joint decision was made based on a number of factors including that, of late, SWB12 was spending most of his time in town, raiding and roosting in the urban environment where he faces many dangers, such as dogs, traffic and hostility from some residents
“The Da Gama troop currently does not have an alpha male, meaning SWB12 will have the best possible chance of integration. Integration usually happens quicker in the absence of another alpha male.”
The authorities said the relocation would provide the best possibility of survival for SWB12 and also be beneficial to the genetics of the Da Gama troop
“SWB12 will not be collared or ear-tagged. However, the City’s service provider will be monitoring his movements and attempts at integration with the Da Gama troop.”
CapeNature, the CGHSPCA, and the City called on the public to not follow or interfere with SWB12 in any way as this will seriously hamper his efforts to integrate.
“We also want to caution the public that the relocation may not succeed. It is impossible to predict how the process will unfold as baboons are wild animals. Every relocation is different and relies on the individual animal. It may take months for SWB12 to integrate
“He may not integrate at all and display raiding behaviour in his new environment. In such case, one of the outcomes that may need to be considered as a last resort is euthanasia.”
Follow-up meetings will be convened to discuss SWB12’s reintegration attempts.
Cape Times