Bitou keeps eye on bothersome baboons

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The impact of overly boisterous baboons in the Bitou municipal area is once again rearing its head, and the municipality has issued directives on the baboon issue for Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley.

Baboons regularly trash dustbins in search of food and one particularly pesky individual roaming Griz Nez, Rothersands and Skerry Vore avenues in Plett have been terrorising children in the area.

It is reported that the kids can no longer walk to the beach as they have been doing all along for fear of coming across that lone baboon.

Whenever baboons monkey around with and on their human neighbours’ property, the debate surrounding possible solutions becomes heated – even leading to court cases between homeowners!

The one side advocates the culling or physical removal from the urban area of the “town baboons” while those on the other side of the fence wants to feed and protect them.

Big brother watches baboons

Cape Nature is by law the custodian of baboon troops in town, and although local municipalities do not have the mandate to undertake the management of baboons, Bitou has employed four baboon monitors to improve the situation.

Bitou Municipality Communications Director Andile Namntu says the monitors have been stationed in lower Longships (Whale Rock and Vlei areas) during periods when the baboons have been active in town.

They respond to baboon sightings as reported on the baboon report WhatsApp groups.

“Mostly the monitors chase them off properties and clean up waste left outside the property. They also hand out awareness pamphlets of what to do when you encounter baboons.”

The aftermath of the destructive feeding frenzy.