In the Cape Peninsula, especially Rooi Els and Pringle Bay, baboons are a major attraction, amusing tourists with their roadside antics. Unfortunately, because people feed them, these baboons have lost their fear of humans and may become aggressive in pursuit of food offered (or not) by visitors. In the interest of public safety, aggressive individual baboons are culled, which in turn disturbs the social structure and behaviour of the troop.
Rooi Els and Pringle Bay have their own troops that live in the area and have become very accustomed to homeowners’ rubbish bins as an easy target to find food. These animals are very intelligent and many residents can tell you stories of how they just walked into your house to get a bunch of grapes that they could see through the window. Most homes in the area are ‘baboon proofed’ by special bars of electric fencing that keep even the smallest baby baboon out. Although these baboons look very tame, it is always advisable not to approach or feed them. They are wild animals and we are living in their territory, not the other way around.
Baboons are wild animals and should be treated with caution. Please follow the guidelines for your own safety and to help protect the future of baboons:
View the baboons from the safety of your car
Keep windows and doors closed
Do not feed baboons
Do not entice baboons into your car
Do not approach troops of baboons on foot
More information is available at Baboon Matters Trust, see the website link below.
Photo credit Ursula Van TonderVisit Website