Latest news with #CapeBaboonPartnership
The South African
10 hours ago
- General
- The South African
SPCA releases captured baboon back into the wild
After a safe capture and full health check, the young male baboon sighted in Claremont on Friday has now been released into the Tokai area. The Tokai area represents a far more suitable environment where he has the best chance of integrating with a troop and continuing his natural dispersal journey. The SPCA confirmed that its team, along with the Cape Baboon Partnership, stayed with him from first sighting to final release. The public is reminded that if you see a wild animal in distress to immediately call (021) 700 4158/9. Save that number now! The SPCA confirmed the the male baboon that was on the loose in the southern suburbs in Cape Town has been captured and will be released into its natural habitat. In a Facebook post on Saturday, the SPCA confirmed that after a tense day of tracking and multiple evasions, they were relieved to share a positive outcome for the young dispersing male baboon spotted in Claremont and surrounding suburbs. 'Early this morning, our team, working alongside the Cape Baboon Partnership and a wildlife veterinarian, returned to the area where he had slept the previous night. 'The baboon was successfully darted, given a full health assessment, and is en route to be safely released into his natural roaming territory. 'This outcome gives him the best chance to continue his natural dispersal without facing the many dangers posed by urban environments. 'Baboons do not belong in residential areas. Urban spaces are filled with threats: roads, fences, domestic pets, and people. While sightings may seem exciting, these moments are stressful and dangerous for wildlife.' The SPCA expressed its gratitude to all those involved in the capture and release of the animal, and also issued a reminder that baboons remain a protected species. 'A heartfelt thank you to the community for your cooperation and care, and to every member of the response team who worked tirelessly to ensure his safety. 'If you see a wild animal in distress, please contact the SPCA at (021) 700 4158/9. 'Baboons remain protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. It is illegal to harm, harass, or interfere with them.' The South African website received videos and confirmed reports on Friday of the baboon moving between houses in Rondebosch. This comes amid concerns of increasing encounters between baboons in the South Peninsula and residents in Cape Town's southern suburbs. The video shows a large male baboon climbing off a terrace and into a garden. Video: Supplied An earlier report, published on Friday morning, urged residents to be cautious after a young male baboon had been seen making his way through Wynberg towards Newlands. In a second video, a trap appears to have been set for the primate. It initially looked successful, before the animal breaks free again. Watch below: In this second video, the baboon evades capture. Video: Jill Thewlis-Hunter In related news, a road patrol guard was filmed earlier this year assisting two baboons as they tentatively crossed Simon's Town's busy main road. The footage was originally uploaded on Instagram by thecaperobyn. It included the caption 'If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles Darwin laughing.' It began to go viral after it was shared by the South Africa Instagram account – a page that regularly publishes South African travel content. While some baboon encounters in the area have lead to conflict, this moment offered a rare example of coexistence, with a human stepping in to ensure the baboons aren't hit by cars. Chacma baboons ( Papio ursinus ) are native to Southern Africa. They are commonly found in the Cape Peninsula, where they often come into contact with humans. The chacma is like all other baboons – from the Old World monkey family – and is one of the largest of all primates. The species is highly adaptable and frequently ventures into urban and residential areas in search of food. As human development pushes up the mountain into their natural habitat, the animals are increasingly entering plush properties to forage in gardens and take the pickings from bins. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
14 hours ago
- General
- The South African
SPCA confirms capture of baboon on the loose in Cape Town
The SPCA has confirmed the the male baboon that was on the loose in the southern suburbs in Cape Town has been captured and will be released into its natural habitat. In a Facebook post on Saturday, the SPCA confirmed that after a tense day of tracking and multiple evasions, they were relieved to share a positive outcome for the young dispersing male baboon spotted in Claremont and surrounding suburbs. 'Early this morning, our team, working alongside the Cape Baboon Partnership and a wildlife veterinarian, returned to the area where he had slept the previous night. 'The baboon was successfully darted, given a full health assessment, and is en route to be safely released into his natural roaming territory. 'This outcome gives him the best chance to continue his natural dispersal without facing the many dangers posed by urban environments. 'Baboons do not belong in residential areas. Urban spaces are filled with threats: roads, fences, domestic pets, and people. While sightings may seem exciting, these moments are stressful and dangerous for wildlife.' The SPCA expressed its gratitude to all those involved in the capture and release of the animal, and also issued a reminder that baboons remain a protected species. 'A heartfelt thank you to the community for your cooperation and care, and to every member of the response team who worked tirelessly to ensure his safety. 'If you see a wild animal in distress, please contact the SPCA at (021) 700 4158/9. 'Baboons remain protected under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974. It is illegal to harm, harass, or interfere with them.' The South African website received videos and confirmed reports on Friday of the baboon moving between houses in Rondebosch. This comes amid concerns of increasing encounters between baboons in the South Peninsula and residents in Cape Town's southern suburbs. The video shows a large male baboon climbing off a terrace and into a garden. Video: Supplied An earlier report, published on Friday morning, urged residents to be cautious after a young male baboon had been seen making his way through Wynberg towards Newlands. In a second video, a trap appears to have been set for the primate. It initially looked successful, before the animal breaks free again. Watch below: In this second video, the baboon evades capture. Video: Jill Thewlis-Hunter In related news, a road patrol guard was filmed earlier this year assisting two baboons as they tentatively crossed Simon's Town's busy main road. The footage was originally uploaded on Instagram by thecaperobyn. It included the caption 'If you listen very carefully, you can hear Charles Darwin laughing.' It began to go viral after it was shared by the South Africa Instagram account – a page that regularly publishes South African travel content. While some baboon encounters in the area have lead to conflict, this moment offered a rare example of coexistence, with a human stepping in to ensure the baboons aren't hit by cars. Chacma baboons ( Papio ursinus ) are native to Southern Africa. They are commonly found in the Cape Peninsula, where they often come into contact with humans. The chacma is like all other baboons – from the Old World monkey family – and is one of the largest of all primates. The species is highly adaptable and frequently ventures into urban and residential areas in search of food. As human development pushes up the mountain into their natural habitat, the animals are increasingly entering plush properties to forage in gardens and take the pickings from bins. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
30-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Task team outlines innovative approaches to Baboon management
Beloved baboon "Blondie", shot dead. Image: Supplied The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team has outlined its progress and plans for managing baboons along the Peninsula. The update was shared with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group at their second official meeting, held on Tuesday. The task team, which includes representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, said in a joint statement that members of the Shark Spotters have taken on some of the day-to-day baboon management tasks under the Cape Baboon Partnership. Since March 2025, the Shark Spotters have been providing baboon rangers, running the baboon hotline, and leading community education and outreach efforts. The advisory group is made up of representatives from local communities, civic associations, conservation groups, academic institutions, and animal welfare organisations with an interest in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula. In the statement, several challenges currently facing baboon management were outlined, including 'increasing human-baboon conflict and poor welfare among some troops.' The task team stated that their proposed action plan, part of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan, aims to 'maintain a healthy, free-ranging baboon population in natural areas, with input from affected communities on local solutions". As part of this plan, the task team has proposed removing five splinter troops from the Peninsula due to 'limited access to natural foraging areas, poor troop health, and frequent human-wildlife conflicts". The five splinter troops under review include CT1 and CT2, located north of Constantia Nek; Waterfall and Seaforth, which are splinter troops from Smitswinkel; and Da Gama4, active in and around Welcome Glen and Glencairn. Options for their removal include rewilding through translocation, relocation to existing or new sanctuaries, humane euthanasia, or a combination of these. The plan will be reviewed by a panel of international and local experts and shared by mid-June. The task team is also exploring infrastructure improvements, including a northern fence to prevent troop movement over Constantia Nek, and a separate fence to help keep the Slangkop troop out of Kommetjie, Ocean View, and surrounding areas. Academic institutions are being consulted on a potential contraception trial for the northern subpopulation of baboons, which has a high annual growth rate of around 8%. Residents are encouraged to visit for information and updates. Summary reports on each troop - covering their health, movements, and numbers - are expected to be available on the site by mid-June. Cape Argus
