REASONS NOT TO CULL CAPE TOWN'S CHACMA BABOONS

........ some reasons people give not to cull the already endangered free-ranging Cape Town Chacma baboons

Showing little change in numbers each year over the decade they were legally protected, the baboons pictured here are members of a couple of Peninsula troops but represent the approximate number of free-ranging baboons on the Peninsula during this time.

In August 2009, a controversial culling protocol, "action plan for dispersing males and repeat raiders", was introduced as a management strategy whereby free-ranging Peninsula baboons could be eartagged and then culled if coming into the urban area and eating food made available by people either deliberately or inadvertently.  Focus was initially placed on "euthanizing" healthy young males.

Over the last decade, baboons have been herded away from urban areas to forage in the hills in an effort to reduce conflict.  Baboons have suffered at the hands of some residents,  sustaining severe injuries or being killed.

A system of baboon monitors herding the baboons to forage in the hills has been seen as the most effective way to reduce conflict. Baboon Matters was the monitoring service provider prior to the contract being awarded away from them in July 2009 amidst allegations of a flawed process.  The controversial dispersing male and repeat raider culling protocol was introduced in August 2009.  Baboon Matters objected to culling members of this already endangered population, some of whom have subsequently been culled in terms of the protocol.

The protocol and the reasons given for supporting it were criticized by independent scientists, primatologists and conservationists as being flawed and biased against baboons. (An even further reaching protocol would be introduced in June 2010 targeting individual raiders as well as other categories.)

Below are some reactions to the culling protocol from people both in South Africa and around the world to the first protocol:

Others are found at the petition site set up by the Baboon Matters Trust found at:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/stop-the-culling-of-cape-towns-baboons.html

While the above site concentrates on the dispersing male aspect of the protocol it is of note that the "repeat raider" component of the protocol could potentially affect any baboon, as baboons of all ages age will eat available food, and in effect is seen as an attempt to do away with their protected status. Baboons in the rest of the country are killed with impunity for raiding.  The Peninsula baboons have been the only legally protected Chacma baboon population in South Africa. (In June 2010, an additional even further reaching "individual raider" protocol was in fact introduced.)

If moving into an area where baboons are, it is up to residents to secure properties against baboon raids eg locking bins and tying them to an upright post so they cannot be pulled to the ground, making raiding easier, installing a security gate over an open door, or burglar barring over open windows. 

Many residents have found by doing so, it is entirely possible to live for numerous years without problems even while their next door neighbour who refuses to baboon-proof will experience frustration when their bin is raided or a baboon walks through an open door. Then blame the baboons. Or want them culled or removed.

Tourists must lock car doors, not only shut them as baboons can open them, close car windows and not carry or display food.  Do not confront baboons. Should it grab a bag which it may think contains food, do not attempt to grab it back as it will fight to retain it.  If it finds no food in it, it will drop it.

However, given the layout of the Peninsula where urban areas do cut into baboon home ranges, this may be seen as impossible, other than culling or moving them into a reserve or sanctuary, which would put an end to the free-ranging baboons of the Peninsula there since before human settlement.

I passed some of these beautiful animals this weekend. It amazed me how peaceful and at ease they were, just going about their business of BEING baboons. This was despite the often rude intrusion of large cars, filled with camera laden tourists and other homosapiens.

A.H., Cape Town, South Africa

I have been privileged to walk with the baboons. It was an extraordinary experience to be up close and look into the eyes of these wonderful animals. I am hoping to be able to take the walk again when we return to Cape Town this year.

B.M., California, USA

The killing of any healthy wild animal is a disgrace if it can be avoided in anyway.

T. A., Adelaide, Australia

The baboons are one of the main reasons why I'd like to visit Cape Town. If you kill them, you'll have some fewer tourists. Measures should be taken to assure their cohabitation with people is peaceful and not a problem. Killing them is certainly not the answer. Let animal associations do their job. They should be protected, understood and treasured.

C.M.O.A., Spain

Please, save these baboons. My recent trip to Cape Point revolutionized my perspective towards the animal kingdom. My life has been energized by seeing these animals, please keep their lives similarly protected.

T.N., California, USA

Surely our inconvenience caused by the baboons does not warrant them a death sentence. It is our responsibility to find sustainable and humane solutions to a problem we have essentially caused through our encroaching on their habitat.

N.O., Cape Town, South Africa

I request the authorities to stop culling the baboons of Cape Town, to make hunting of them illegal and to implement proactive management strategies such as baboon monitors, effective waste management and education so that baboons can coexist harmoniously alongside people.

C. de G., Cape Town, South Africa

This will be a confirmation of no insight of the larger picture with regard to the state of the world. Killing the patriarch of a family unit is contributing to the disintegration of the symbol of the families of the world. Families,whether animal or human, need their protective male head. Please show more consideration in your premeditated actions and what results you are hoping to achieve. There must be another solution to the baboon "problem". This is a highly intelligent species.

L.W., Durban, South Africa

With ever increasing urban expansion of Cape Town, it is vital we save what little is left of its natural habitat and its creatures. It is the duty of decent people everywhere to preserve this legacy for the children not yet born.

J.B., Cape Town

Save our Baboons. I live right here with them visiting and I manage. If you don't like them then leave the area. Gauteng awaits you.

C.E., Cape Town, South Africa

I can't believe that this could even be happening!!!!It so cruel! STOP! think about these helpless creatures and think about an area somewhere they could be safely moved too possibly, but killing them is NOT the answer.

D.G., Australia

Seeing the baboons in Cape Town was one of the thrills of visiting the city. Please stop this slaughter!

R.H., Indiana, USA

These animals have protected status. Stop your intentional slaughter of these animals! They have a right to live in this area. You have destroyed their habitat.

R.W., Pretoria South Africa

Killing may appear on the surface to be an easy solution but that's rarely the case as it does not address the underlying reason for the conflict. Rather than solving any problem, lethal control eats away at valuable resources that could be better spent on efforts to enhance understanding - understanding which might lead to true resolution.

T.A., Texas USA

The authorities need to take responsibility and baboon monitoring definitely works therefore this is the right way to go. The baboons have a place here and a right to life just as we do. It is people that are the problem not the baboons.

T.T., Dublin, Ireland

We are tired of excuses to kill animals! Do not allow this terrible act to be carried out, you will bring shame to our beautiful country. Make a plan rather in resolving this problem without killing. Show that you care !

J.G., Gauteng, South Africa

It's out of pure ignorance, stupidity, arrogance and a need to feel superior that people have the desire to kill our beautiful creatures. Children should be taught to value and respect animals from a young age and lean to understand what an important role they play in the environment - this should be part of their school curriculum!.. if they learn from a young age, they'll be far more educated than the ignorant adults of today.

C.B., Cape Town, South Africa

This is an absolute disgrace, humans cause these problems for the baboons and then when they infringe their so called towns/cities these baboons, which are beautiful, intelligent primates are persecuted. Shame on those concerned. This has to be stopped now. Humans need to take the blame for the roaming male baboons and help them rather than committing this horrific culling,

J.R., Belfast. UK

The baboons are an integral part of the local ecosystem. If they disappear, who knows what else will, and what else will become overpopulated.

C.S., Colorado USA

If we go on like this, there will be less and less baboons and before we know it, they will become on the list of extinction just like the chimps and gorilla's. Wake up!!!

D. v S., Netherlands

We are one of the few countries that are privileged enough to have these animals still roaming our land - its about time we woke up and started protecting our inheritance and not destroying animals when we feel they cause us inconveniences because with this attitude there will be nothing left for our children to see one day. These animals were here before us and we need to learn to live with them.

T.L., Kloof, Natal, South Africa

People all over the world have heard about thsi terrible travesty. Don't cull the baboons. They are part of the culture and heritage of Cape Town. Respect all living beings.

L.W., Australia

Earlier this year I spent 3 months with baboons in South Africa and they were the best months of my life. I love baboons and it breaks my heart that they are being treated this way.

L-A K., California, USA

The Peninsula baboons have been regarded as a major asset of Cape Town and a favourite tourist attraction as can be seen from some of the comments above, even regarded as a highlight of a visit to Cape Town.

But, it is of concern that the free-ranging baboons of the Peninsula are under greater threat than ever.

Despite their expertise, knowledge and understanding of the baboons, over the last year Baboon Matters' involvement has been increasingly reduced in favour of experimental, ineffective or even injurious methods and recommendations, such as herding the animals, the size of dogs and puppies with bullwhips and bearbangers which when introduced traumatized them and brought censure from the local SPCA.

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