The humane use of paintball markers for baboon management
Media Statement Date issued: 23 June 2021
JOINT STATEMENT BY CAPENATURE AND CAPE OF GOOD HOPE SPCA ON THE HUMANE USE OF PAINTBALL MARKERS AS AN AVERSION TOOL TO KEEP BABOONS OUT OF THE URBAN AREAS
CapeNature hereby confirms that the humane use of paintball markers as an aversion tool to keep baboons out of the urban areas and in their natural habitat, remains legal.
Statutory authorities and the City of Cape Town met on 26 May and 17 June 2021 to discuss the impact of the recent withdrawal of the use of paintball markers and to understand under what conditions their use may be reintroduced by the City of Cape Town’s Urban Baboon Programme.
From monitoring results provided by the City of Cape Town, the authorities have noted a steep regression of effectiveness to keeping baboons out of urban areas with the withdrawal of paintball markers. The effectiveness of using paintball markers is largely due to operator’s ability to widen their operational sphere of influence (10-20 meters from the operator) in order to encourage a change in baboon direction. Aside from baboon-proof electric fencing, no other currently available tool offers this level of efficiency.
Given the current lack of an immediately available effective alternative and the significant negative consequences for baboons and members of the public resulting from increasing habituation of baboons in urban areas, the authorities agreed that the humane use of paintball markers should be re-instated in the interim, and under a revised Paintball Marker Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
A revised SOP has been discussed and agreed between officials representing Western Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning, CapeNature, the City of Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (CoGH SPCA), researchers from the University of Cape Town and field specialists at a meeting held on 17 June 2021. The revised SOP has specifically addressed the conditions under which paintball markers can be used without causing unnecessary suffering and will replace the previous 2019 version as the City’s permit conditions specified by CapeNature.
In order to clarify their position, Mr Jaco Pieterse, Chief Inspector of the CoGH SPCA confirmed” “We have no legal power to prohibit the use of paintball markers to deter baboons but the indiscriminate use of paintball markers, fired at point blank range at any animal, may cause unnecessary suffering and, therefore, may constitute a criminal and prosecutable offence in terms of the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962”. The CoGH SPCA has ensured that the conditions for humane use of paintball markers have been specified in the revised SOP and have confirmed that the new SOP takes the welfare of the baboons into consideration.
All attendees agreed that baboons are at great risk and in danger should they be allowed to enter the urban areas adjacent to their natural habitat. An increase in baboons entering urban areas since the City of Cape Town decided to withdraw the use of paintball markers as part of their Urban Baboon Programme on 14 May 2021 has been observed. The City took this decision in the light of the National
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ (NSPCA) withdrawal of endorsement for the use of paintball markers on 12 May 2021. It is important to note that the NSPCA does not usually endorse such methods and they were seeking to correct this decision which they made in 2012. Rather the NSPCA’s mandate is to ensure that such interventions do not cause animal suffering.
All parties agree that the longer the situation continues without an alternative to the humane use of paintball markers, the higher the risk to the baboons and the residents of the City of Cape Town alike. Dr Ernst Baard, Executive Director, CapeNature emphasised: “We need to act swiftly to reduce the risk to both humans and baboons but need to ensure compliance with the revised Standard Operational Procedure.” Any legitimate report of the indiscriminate use of paintball markers will be investigated by CapeNature and the CoGH SPCA.
It is also important to note that the re-introduction of paintball markers is an interim measure while critical aspects of governance, regulation, agreements and plans for baboon management as well as the City’s approach to its urban baboon monitoring programme is being reviewed.
ENDS
ABOUT CapeNature
CapeNature is a public institution mandated to promote and ensure biodiversity conservation within the Western Cape. The entity manages most of the mountain catchments and reserves that supply ecosystem services to the citizens of the Western Cape. This requires good scientific data, a sound understanding of fynbos ecology and commitment to the principles of integrated biodiversity management and planning. Most of this work is in remote areas out of the public eye but has a direct bearing on the quality of life of millions of people in the province.
ABOUT Cape of Good Hope SPCA
The Cape of Good Hope SPCA is a non-profit organization that prevents cruelty, promotes kindness, and alleviates the suffering of animals within the Cape Metropole. The SPCA’s objective is to serve and protect all animals, uplift their welfare, and ensure that their protection under South African law is upheld and respected. The SPCA’s mission is to prevent cruelty and promote the welfare of all animals, whilst the vision is to end animal cruelty and engender compassion for all animals.
SOP FOR USING PAINTBALL MARKERS AS BABOON DETERRENTS WCP 17 June 2021 Revised 25 November 2021
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
CapeNature
Communications Officer
Tarcia Eiman
teiman@capenature.co.za
087 087 9262
Cape of Good Hope SPCA
Jaco Pieterse
Chief Inspector
inspmanager@spca-ct.co.za
021 700 4158/9
Related News
CapeNature visitors invited to support communities through new donation scheme
A visit to a CapeNature nature reserve can help a neighbour in need. From 5 October 2026, guests at three participating nature reserves can bring gently used clothing, blankets and other essential items for local non-profit organisations. The first phase of the donation scheme will run at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve near Heidelberg, Kogelberg Nature Reserve near Kleinmond, and Cederberg Wilderness Nature Reserve near Clanwilliam.
Radio network upgrade to strengthen emergency communication in Hangklip area
CapeNature and Overstrand Municipality will install a small radio repeater station near Hangklip Peak as part of an upgrade to the region’s radio communication network. The repeater will strengthen the communication networks used by both parties and improve coverage across the Overstrand municipal area, Kogelberg Nature Reserve, Betty’s Bay Marine Protected Area and parts of the City of Cape Town. Reliable radio communication is essential for the daily operations of
State of Conservation Report 2026 tracks progress and pressures facing Western Cape biodiversity
The Western Cape’s biodiversity is facing mounting pressure, with a sharp increase in the area affected by fires and more ecosystems and species classified as threatened, according to the Western Cape State of Conservation Report 2026. The report records 107 fires that burned 215 936 hectares during the 2025/26 reporting period – almost three times the 75 174 hectares burned by 97 fires in the previous reporting period.
El Niño raises fire risk as Western Cape prepares for a challenging fire season
The Western Cape is preparing for a potentially challenging wildfire season, with the developing El Niño weather pattern expected to contribute to hotter and drier conditions and an increased risk of wildfires across the province. The South African Weather Service has warned of below-normal rainfall associated with the expected strong El Niño during the coming summer season. While El Niño does not automatically mean that every part of the province will experience drought
Cape fur seal safety remains important this World Rabies Day
On World Rabies Day (28 September), CapeNature is reminding residents and visitors to keep a safe distance from Cape fur seals and to act immediately if they or their pets are bitten, scratched or exposed to a seal’s saliva. Rabies has been detected in Cape fur seals along the South African coastline and by the end of 2025, at least 176 people had been bitten by seals. While most seals do not pose a threat to people, they are wild animals and should never be approached, touched, fed or encouraged to interact with humans.
How Waste Affects Biodiversity and What We Can Do About It
Waste is more than an eyesore. Littered streets, polluted rivers and overflowing landfills are visible signs of a much wider environmental problem. Every year, people generate large volumes of waste, yet much of it is not managed effectively. In South Africa, more than 60% of waste has been reported as ending up in landfills. With service-delivery challenges and many major landfill sites approaching capacity, the pressure on communities and natural ecosystems continues to grow. Both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity carry much of the impact.