“The eco-ranger training has been completed, and the full implementation of the Adaptive Baboon Management Programme, including the entire suite of tools, has been in place since the end of June.”
This was the response from the Overstrand Municipality about the Pringle Bay Adaptive Management Programme. According to the Municipal Manager, Dean O’Neill, significant progress has been reported. “The troop has been successfully kept out of town for longer periods on most days and has even remained outside town for entire days on a couple of occasions. This has led to fewer incursions, raids, confrontations and attacks on the baboons themselves.”
He also explained that challenges remained, as some residents were reluctant to grant access to their properties for moving the baboons.
“Consequently, the troop has started using these properties as ‘safe havens’ once in town, which hampers the efforts of the eco-rangers,” O’Neill said.
Another concern, he said, was some residents shooting live projectiles at the troop while they are in town.
“Residents are reminded that the municipality has the necessary permits and training to use non-injury and non-lethal tools to manage and relocate the troop safely.”
Instructions issued as part of the plans put to address the problem: . Do not harm the baboons, rather contact the baboon hotline at 069 151 5962;. Baboon-proof your bins and vegetable gardens and close and lock windows and doors when the troop is nearby.
“There is no miracle wand to address the behaviour of the troop,” O’Neill pointed out, “and resolving the routine the troop has become accustomed to will take time and understanding. There is optimism that these trends will continue in the coming months with ongoing community support.”
