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. Read more below:

The members of the CPBAG represent their respective communities, ratepayers’ associations, stakeholders, academic and research institutions, animal welfare institutions, and organisations who have a direct interest in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula.

The Cape Baboon Partnership has taken over the responsibility for certain operational tasks, including the provision of baboon rangers, managing the Baboon Hotline, and community liaison and education since 1 March 2025. Their feedback session to the CPBAG included highlights and challenges to date, progress with research, and education and awareness.

• Residents impacted by baboon troops are encouraged to join the WhatsApp Community Groups for regular updates on troops’ movements in their respective areas. Go to https://baboons.org.za and scan the QR code to join the group applicable to your area
• Summary reports about every baboon troop will be available on https://baboons.org.za by mid-June 2025 latest for those who are interested to know more about the troops’ health, movements, and numbers
• If all goes as planned, additional baboon-proof bins will be available by January 2026, as the procurement process was delayed by unforeseen challenges and is being finalised. The public will be informed once the bins are available

Action plan and proposed way forward

The CPBMJTT presented a proposed way forward with the implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP). The CPBSMP provides the framework for the sustainable management of the Cape Peninsula’s Chacma baboons, and is to be implemented and elaborated upon with area-based solutions developed jointly with affected communities.

The welfare of the Cape Peninsula baboon troops has severely regressed in the last three years. The population has increased, putting pressure on available resources.

The intention is to ensure the Cape Peninsula has a baboon population that is well managed, healthy and free ranging in the natural areas. This will be to the benefit of the troops, as well as the local communities and visitors.

The proposed action plan will be shared with a panel of international and local experts for review to provide a recommendation to the authorities on the proposed removal of five splinter troops on the Cape Peninsula. The proposed plan will also be circulated to the CPBAG for comments by mid-June 2025, if all goes as planned.

It is proposed that five splinter troops be removed from the Cape Peninsula as these troops have limited access to low-lying natural land with plants of high nutritional value for foraging; the low-lying areas are too small to sustain them; rangers have very little success in keeping the baboons out of the urban areas leading to an over-reliance on aversion techniques; the health and welfare of the troops are severely compromised; and escalating conflict between baboons and residents is being recorded.

• CT1, a splinter troop, lives north of Constantia Nek with very limited access to natural areas below 230m between the vineyards and residential suburbs
• CT2, splintered from CT1, lives north of Constantia Nek all the way to Kirstenbosch and Constantia Village. There is a high level of human induced injuries and deaths recorded in this troop
• Waterfall, splintered from the Smitswinkel troop, lives on the southern border of Simon’s Town. The troop is highly habituated, and have very poor welfare status with high levels of human induced injuries and deaths
• Seaforth, splintered from the Smitswinkel Bay troop, and moved north of Murdoch Valley. This troop poses an ongoing threat to the critically endangered African Penguin colony and visits this area on a weekly basis
• Da Gama4, splintered from the Da Gama troop, and lives in and around Welcome Glen, Glencairn and the Da Gama residential areas, is habituated to people and the urban environment

How these troops should be removed will be reviewed by a panel of external international and local experts and will be open for comment by the CPBAG. The options include translocation for rewilding, capture and removal to an existing sanctuary or to a newly established sanctuary, humane euthanasia, or a combination of these options.

Every option has advantages and disadvantages, poses certain challenges and comes at a cost. The CPBMJTT will make the outcomes public as soon as these are available.

Fencing, etc.

Detailed work is under way on the implementation of a northern fence to prevent baboons from moving over Constantia Nek in future. The proposal for a fence to keep the Slangkop troop out of the urban areas of Kommetjie, Ocean View, Imhoff’s Gift, Heron Park, Capri and De Oude Weg, and surrounds is being investigated.

Furthermore, academic institutions are being engaged about a contraception trial to be introduced in the northern subpopulation where the average annual growth rate is 8%, which is considered very high.

• The Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group is established as part of the CPBSMP and represents: Green Group Simon’s Town NPC, Southern African Faith Communities’ Environmental Institute (SAFCEI), Sunnydale Ratepayers’ Association, Cape Peninsula Civil Conservation NPO, Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association, Constantia Hills Residents’ Association, Kirstenhof and Environs Residents’ Association, Tokai Residents’ Association, Kommetjie Residents and Ratepayers’ Association, Constantia Ratepayers and Residents’ Association, Simon’s Town Civic Association (Da Gama troop), Simon’s Town Civic Association (Smitswinkel and Seaforth troop), Simon’s Town Civic Association (Waterfall troop), Cape of Good Hope SPCA, and iCWILD (UCT)

The CPBAG advises and supports the CPBMJTT on achieving the intended outcomes as stipulated in the strategic management plan; supports its implementation on a local area level; ensures ongoing and constructive engagement between the constituencies and the CPBMJTT; and assists in developing strategic partnerships with stakeholders.

The CPBAG plays a crucial role in baboon management on the Cape Peninsula, in particular in ensuring collaboration between stakeholders.

The CPBMJTT wants to thank the CPBAG for a constructive meeting and engagement.