Targeted baboon committee formed in Plett

PLETTENBERG BAY - Baboons have become such a problem in certain parts of the town that concerned citizens and professionals have formed a new advisory committee to address the issue.

Earlier this week Jade Mccausland posted on the Plett (urban) baboon report WhatsApp group that a cat had been |"taken out" by baboons on the corner of Skerryvore and Eagle streets.

"It happened at 7am. My whole family pumping adrenaline… kids are hiding. When is something going to be done," Mccausland posted.

Dr Morkel Pienaar, chairperson of the newly formed Bitou Baboon Advisory Committee, said it is very important that sustainable ethical solutions are found for these kinds of problems.

'Boiling point'

Announcing the new committee, Pienaar said the current adverse interaction between human residents and baboons has reached a boiling point. "The ongoing situation is untenable and not in the interests of the people or the baboons. These interactions are very distressing to all involved and, unfortunately, a common occurrence throughout the Western Cape.

"However, it is a situation that has also been very successfully managed in many areas and there are people and organisations with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in how to deal with this in a successful manner that is both ethical and lasting."

Pienaar said the committee is comprised of various people and residents with a wide range of skills and experience to bring to the table when it comes to baboon issues.

"We have been liaising with several experts in this field to help us resolve this conflict so that we can ALL peacefully coexist. The underlying causes of the conflict are multi-factorial but well documented and extensively researched."

The statement said with a clear strategy, well-trained and equipped monitors, and the combined efforts of all the role players, this problem can be resolved completely and ethically, as it has been in many other locations.

Combined effort

The Bitou Baboon Advisory Committee (Plett) was formed to act as an independent, evidence-based, advisory body to both the community and municipality to help resolve this problem for everyone, said Pienaar.

"We have arranged for Jenni Trethovan of Baboon Matters to come to Plett where we aim to engage all role players (CapeNature, SANParks, the municipality, RPAs, affected residents - both urban and rural - and conservationists) to combine our efforts and work together to resolve this problem in a way that addresses all the concerns.

"We may not all have the same motivation, but we all share the same goal. Please continue to report any sightings of baboons so that we can formulate a strategy based on their current movements and places they regularly frequent."

Join to find solution

He invited residents to join the discussion group, but to keep comments constructive and non-aggressive. "There is no need to keep re-stating the problem. Everyone is aware of it and our energy and attention are better spent on finding solutions.

"We are all in the same boat, and together, we can resolve this matter in the interests of the whole community and the baboons," Pienaar said, adding that more information would follow "as soon as it is confirmed".