An adult male baboon, known as PBM1, was found dead in Pringle Bay on Tuesday, 29 April.
Officials from Overstrand Municipal Baboon Management, CapeNature, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation. A suspected entry wound was found on the left side of PBM1’s chest, but no clear evidence was found to determine who was responsible for the incident.
According to Dean O’Neill, Municipal Manager, PBM1’s body was taken to the Caledon Veterinary Clinic for a full autopsy. “X-rays revealed seven projectiles of varying sizes: one in the subcutaneous tissue of the head, four in the chest area, and two in the abdominal area. The age (and therefore the origin) of six of these projectiles could not be determined. No other abnormalities were noted. The autopsy confirmed a small puncture wound on the left lateral side of the chest, along with a penetrating wound to the lung tissue and excessive bleeding in the left thoracic cavity. The seventh projectile was retrieved from the left cranial thoracic cavity. The cause of death was confirmed as severe hemorrhage in the left thoracic cavity,” he said
An enquiry docket has been opened with SAPS in Kleinmond, and a police investigation is currently underway. All relevant information, including the retrieved projectile, has been handed over to assist in the investigation. Members of the public with any information that could assist the investigation are urged to contact Kleinmond SAPS on 028 271 8200.
Baboon management:
“Residents are reminded that Overstrand Municipality holds the necessary permits and training to implement its baboon adaptive management plan, using non-lethal and non-harmful tools and techniques,” O’Neill said. “It is an offence to hunt a baboon without authorisation.”
According to him such illegal activities could result in penalties such as a fine not exceeding R10 000 or to two years’ imprisonment, or to both such fine and imprisonment. “The discharging of an airgun or firearm in a built-up area is a contravention of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 and conviction may result in up to five years’ imprisonment and the convicted person being declared unfit to possess firearms. Shooting baboons not only inflicts unnecessary pain on the animal but also disrupts their natural behaviour and the delicate social balance within their troop. Humane and non-lethal methods of managing human-wildlife conflict are needed that safeguard both animal welfare and community safety.”
For more information on baboon-proofing, keeping baboons off your property, or your legal rights as property owners, please contact the Overstrand Baboon Hotline at 069 151 5962 or email projectmanagerbmp@overstrand.gov.za.