Steps underway to secure baboon rangers for festive season, and beyond
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, wants to inform communities from baboon-affected areas that processes are underway to secure the services of baboon rangers for December 2024, including the upcoming transitioning period starting on 1 January 2025. Read more below:
In June 2024, the CPBMJTT hosted engagements with communities from baboon-affected areas about the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP), its implementation, and the development of area-based solutions in cooperation with the individual communities.
During these meetings residents raised concerns about the contract with NCC Environmental Services coming to an end by 31 December 2024. NCC has been contracted by the City to manage the Urban Baboon Programme, including the provision of baboon rangers to keep troops out of the urban area and in their natural environment as far as possible.
Over the past few months the CPBMJTT has been exploring several options to address the upcoming bridging period.
The CPBMJTT wants to inform affected communities that several processes are now underway to enable the presence of baboon rangers in coming months:
- The first is a short-term solution, in the form of a Request for Quotation process, to ensure a presence of baboon rangers during the festive season. The RFQ is being advertised by the City of Cape Town this week as a temporary measure only
- The second is an interim solution, namely to appoint a contractor for a 12-month period, on a month-to-month basis
- The preferred long-term solution that is to be finalised while the above processes are underway, is a partnership with a non-profit organisation that can receive grant funding from the CPBMJTT partners, as well as funding and donations from external sources such as affected communities and the general public. The NPO is to perform selected operational and other tasks needed in implementing the Baboon Strategic Management Plan. This includes the implementation of area-based solutions; education, awareness and communication campaigns; community outreach events; the hosting of a dedicated website and mobile app; ongoing engagement with researchers; and the provision of baboon rangers in support of other management interventions such as population control, strategic fences, and waste management, amongst others.
The above steps are underway with urgency and intent as we are transitioning to a more sustainable urban baboon programme which involves communities, as well as the parties to the CPBMJTT. The CPBMJTT wants to thank affected communities for their ongoing support.
Related News
Damara Trail Wins Silver Award at International Tourism Film Festival Africa 2025
CapeNature is proud to announce that its Damara Trail video series has won the Silver Award in the Tourism – Products category at the prestigious International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) 2025.
CapeNature’s videos stood out for their compelling storytelling, visual excellence, and ability to capture the essence of nature-based tourism in the Western Cape.
“We are incredibly proud that the Damara Trail videos have been recognised on an international platform. This award helps to underline our commitment to sustainable tourism offerings. Much like the Damara Trail itself, the video helps to tell the unique history and story of the Waenhuiskrans area to visitors both far and near,” said Sheraaz Ismail, Executive Director: Eco-Tourism and Access.
CapeNature's vision - Protecting biodiversity for a sustainable future
Biodiversity forms the bedrock of life on Earth. It is essential not only for sustaining healthy ecosystems but also for ensuring human wellbeing. Last week, on 22 May, we celebrated International Day for Biological Diversity, to raise awareness, educate, and build understanding around biodiversity issues, while inspiring collective effort to conserve it for future generations.
Task team briefs Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group on progress and way forward
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) consisting of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, hosted its second meeting with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG) on 27 May 2025. The Shark Spotters who are implementing selected operational tasks under the banner of the Cape Baboon Partnership, also provided feedback on progress and challenges with the implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
Record-breaking pine clearing operation strengthens water security at Boosmansbos
A successful HeliHack operation has cleared 15 194 invasive pine trees from the rugged slopes of the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area – a CapeNature-managed World Heritage Site and crucial catchment area feeding the Duivenhoks Dam.
From 3–5 May 2025, the latest mission to tackle the invasive alien vegetation marked the most successful pine removal in the initiative’s history.
Why humane euthanasia was the only way out for the stranded Humpback whale at Robberg Nature Reserve
A young female Humpback whale that was stranded on the Island Beach at Robberg Nature Reserve on Monday, 19 May 2025, was humanely euthanised the following morning after multiple failed rescue attempts and a subsequent expert assessment.
The whale appeared to have run aground on a sandbank and Robberg Nature Reserve personnel were on site to monitor the whale and manage public access to prevent further distress or harm.
Elusive Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew recorded for the first time in 46 years!
One of the Western Cape’s most mysterious mammals, the Boosmansbos long-tailed forest shrew (Myosorex longicaudatus boosmani), has made a reappearance, 46 years after it was last recorded! Conservationists from CapeNature, Grootvadersbosch Conservancy and Helihack, together with volunteer biologists found one of these tiny mammals in CapeNature’s Boosmansbos Wilderness Area.
How can I assist you today?
How can I assist you today?