Margie Ogilvy writes:
It is with extreme disappointment that I read the article by a Daily Maverick journalist on 1 September.
As a regular reader and supporter of the Daily Maverick I am astounded that you would allow such a one-sided article to be published. Not only is the information based on two residents (not sure where they reside or whether they have suffered baboon damage), but there is absolutely no reference to anyone who has professional experience in the field of rogue baboons and the danger they cause to both humans and domestic animals, as well as the damage they cause to houses and gardens.
The Knysna residents quoted in the article refer blithely to ensuring bins are securely locked and litter avoided, but in reality residents of Hunters Home, Rexford and surrounds have become prisoners in their homes. We cannot leave doors unlocked or windows open - 'baboon proof' burglar bars are broken, they have learned to remove sliding doors off the rails, they break TV aerials, gutters, roof tiles etc. Not to mention wantonly destroying gardens. Planting vegetables is a joke and fruit trees have to be removed.
It certainly cannot be described as 'an inconvenience' to live with baboons. They have wantonly thrashed and destroyed homes – both inside and outside.
They have attacked dogs and are threatening people. They take absolutely no notice of any human who attempts to chase them away. They spent 2 hours at one home – with only the domestic inside – trying to break into the house, even chewing at wooden door posts to gain entry. A 16-old year girl also on her own, was subjected to the same type of attack. In another incident they attempted to break into a bedroom where a 3-month-old baby was asleep.
I am sure you will agree, this cannot be considered 'an inconvenience'.
By the way, the baboons MOST CERTAINLY did not previously reside in this part of the world. A few started foraging in this area around 9 years ago, but since then the troop has grown exponentially as nothing was done to stop their intrusion.
Trust me, the Knysna Municipality is definitely not taking the "easy way out" if they do have to cull a few of the delinquent baboons.
In fact the municipality would be very pleased if the problem would just disappear….. Having said that, their fatuous comment about the "engagement of a professional hunter is a precautionary measure to make sure that should there be a life-threatening situation, we can act" – begs the question, what is a life-threatening situation and in whose opinion? Do we wait for an injury before calling in the professional hunter?
I suggest your reporter investigates this very serious situation with considerably more research as well as interviewing the residents who have been involved in these incidents and how our daily lives are affected.
