Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Bitou Municipality has launched control measures in its battle against baboons in the town and Nature's Valley and have employed four baboon monitors to assist with the task.

The measures have been questioned by local residents who say the baboon monitors are ineffective and that the measures being applied will not solve Plett's baboon problem – which could also impact on the town's tourism. 

In a municipal statement by communications director Andile Namntu, the municipality listed the measures to be taken.

Namntu said baboons are listed as a protected species in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance No 19 of 1974. 

"CapeNature is the mandated authority who authorises any activity that is to be undertaken regarding physical interference with baboons. This may include using paintball markers to shoot at them, trapping specific individuals and the bigger topics of relocation or euthanasia," said Namntu. 

He said local municipalities do not have the mandate to undertake the management of baboons. "However, the municipality should assist in addressing issues of public nuisance and appropriate waste management," he said.

Too close and personal

Whale Rock resident Rose Scott who has been confronted in her home by baboons more than once said she had heard of an incident where a human was bit by a baboon.

"They are not afraid of people and invade homes at will and pose a threat to the physical well-being of children and pets - as I have personally experienced on three occasions," said Scott. 

"They cause damage and destruction. It will frighten off tourists and discourage people [who don't] want to live in a permanent lockdown-like situation – keeping all doors and windows closed. Their numbers are also increasing exponentially."

She said baboons trash garbage bins and disturb pets. "The single baboon in the Griz Nez/Rothersands/Skerry Vore area is one too many. The baboon presence has resulted in children not being able to walk to the beach along that route (or any other route) for fear of coming across that single baboon. I have been confronted in my home on three occasions – even when limiting the number of doors/windows open – I cannot keep an eye on the open door or window as I hang up washing or conduct work online," she said.

Having to hide

"Twice I was afraid for my physical safety – and even my life when I saw those teeth up close. Once I was able to lock myself away from the baboons until they had finished vandalising my kitchen and left. Once, my girls were stuck at home in one bedroom while I was in a meeting and unable to answer my phone. They were traumatised by this."

She said the baboons have stripped gardens of fruit and vegetables and even flowers, made marks on walls with muddy paws and vandalised her kitchen.

"I believe from posts on the baboon reports group that I am not the only one. They have scared our cats away for days at a time, creating concern that they have been injured."

Baboons have also been spotted on golf courses in town. 

Baboon monitors

Scott said she believes the monitors are not effective at all. "By the time they have been notified of where the baboons are, the baboons have moved on. With security estate entrance protocols and most affected properties in the area walled off, the monitors do not have free access to properties and are more likely to encounter physical resistance as people may mistake them as intruders. Humans are not a protected species – only the baboons."

Bitou Municipality said four expanded public works programme members, a man and three women, have been employed as environmental monitors. The monitors received "some training with the Nature's Valley ratepayers baboon monitors, and it will continue going forward".

Transport has been arranged and a seven-day shift system will be implemented. "The monitors will be placed in town when baboons are present. After a one-week period with no baboon sightings, the monitors will resume other environmental duties," said Namntu.

CapeNature will continue assisting in response to injured baboons or "problem individuals" and Bitou Municipality's law enforcement will provide assistance by responding to any home invasions, provide continued assistance to the monitors, and field calls of incidents at the control room. 

The law enforcement control room contact number is 044 533 5000.

Plettenberg Bay Photo: Carlo Coetzee 

Background to baboon action

Bitou Municipality has been working with the Nature's Valley Ratepayers Association (NVRA) to assist with the establishment of a baboon monitoring programme.

Bitou Municipality renders assistance in the form of providing three expanded public works programme (EPWP) workers. The NVRA has raised funds from the ratepayers to appoint four of their own baboon monitors, and they provide the monitors with personal protective equipment and training. Namntu said the programme "has been very successful".

The NVRA approached the municipality to discuss the potential of establishing a special rating area to enable the ratepayers to fund the project. The municipality drafted and promulgated the special rating area by-law to allow for this.

Namntu said an environmental monitor programme was implemented in 2020 as part of the EPWP programme.

The monitors have been stationed in lower Longships (Whale Rock and Vlei area) during periods when the baboons have been present in the town. They respond to baboon sightings as reported on the WhatsApp groups and move between properties to assist property owners.

"Mostly they chase them off properties and clean up when waste is left outside the property. They have also assisted in handing out awareness pamphlets of what property owners should do when they encounter baboons." Namntu said the monitors are on the Baboon Report WhatsApp group and respond to reported sightings to provide as much assistance as possible.

He urged residents to report baboon sightings as follows:

• The address where baboons have been sighted (Google pin would be helpful)
• How many baboons are there?
• Are they male or female? Adults or babies?
• Are there any distinguishing features such as scars or marks?
• Where are they headed?

A baboon having a grand old time with someone's bread in Robberg Road.

CapeNature weighs in

Petro van Rhyn, CapeNature's general manager of advocacy, said the primary responsibility of CapeNature regarding the management of human-wildlife conflict is providing the legal framework (including compliance management) as well as an advisory service. 

"CapeNature is not involved in the day-to-day management of baboons, which remains the responsibility of the landowner or the local authority. The western areas of Plettenberg Bay, for example Whale Rock and Piesang River Valley, are adjacent to habitat for wild animals such as baboons. It is inevitable that baboons will access properties in certain areas from time to time.

"Therefore, it will remain necessary to take precautions when the baboons are present. There are several other examples where conflict with baboons arises in residential areas with adjacent natural areas. George and Knysna municipalities also deal with baboon management," said Van Rhyn.

She added that in affected areas it remains critical that preventative measures, such as proper waste management and the availability of food items (eg, bird feed, dog food and compost heaps) is managed. 

"The implementation of baboon monitors is an effective measure that is also implemented by other local authorities," she said.

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