George’s baboon troubles: Don't feed the conflict

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GEORGE NEWS - They may be unwelcome intruders when they raid a kitchen or rummage through a bin, but CapeNature says the growing conflict between baboons and residents cannot simply be solved by removing the animals.

As George expands towards natural areas, encounters between people and wildlife are becoming increasingly common, particularly in neighbourhoods bordering the mountains and forested areas.

According to CapeNature's Luke Folb, human-baboon conflict in George and surrounding areas is not new and has occurred sporadically for at least two decades. "Affected areas normally border or are in proximity to natural areas that provide habitat for wildlife, and baboons will inevitably enter such areas from time to time," he said.

Food in residential areas is a major drawcard for baboons, with fruit trees, gardens, pet food, bird feeders, compost, animal feed and rubbish providing easy meals.

"If the baboons get rewarded with easily obtained food items, they will return to such areas, and conflict with humans arises."

Prevention is better than cure

CapeNature describes effective municipal waste management as non-negotiable, but prevention also includes securing rubbish, managing compost heaps, limiting access to pet and animal food and ensuring that baboons cannot enter homes.

Properly installed electric fencing can help exclude baboons from properties, while burglar bars and security doors can prevent them from entering houses.

What to do when a baboon gets inside

In a recent video on baboon conflict, Jeff Ayliffe gave some tips on the do's and don'ts. He urged residents to remain calm and give the animal a clear escape route. Never chase or corner a baboon, or block its path.

Secure your dogs, as dogs confronting baboons can escalate the situation. Never try to take an item back from a baboon, as this can provoke the animal.

Relocation is not a quick fix

While residents may call for problematic animals to be removed, CapeNature says relocating them can create more problems.

Individual baboons may be removed if preventative measures have failed and the animal repeatedly causes significant damage, loss or conflict.

However, translocation carries several risks, including disease, stress to the animal, legal restrictions, liability for damage or injury and the possibility that the animal will attempt to return to its original territory. Relocation could displace the conflict to another area, resulting in the animals being targeted in retaliation.

There is also no guarantee that a relocated baboon will successfully integrate into another troop. "This increases the chance of it coming into conflict with humans," Folb said. In such circumstances, the animal could ultimately be destroyed.

Who is responsible?

CapeNature's primary role in human-wildlife conflict is to provide the legal and regulatory framework, including compliance management, as well as an advisory service.

The organisation provides information and recommendations to municipalities, estates and individual property owners and has previously worked with George Municipality and other stakeholders on baboon-human conflict.

Information sheets and educational material have been produced with George Municipality and other stakeholders, while CapeNature also participated in a multi-stakeholder engagement process and a Baboon-Human Coexistence Workshop at Nelson Mandela University's George Campus in 2022.

CapeNature believes every local authority experiencing baboon conflict should develop and implement its own long-term strategy based on the particular environment and needs.

For George, that means finding ways for people and wildlife to coexist as the city continues to expand into areas where wild animals live.

And while residents may understandably be frustrated with the baboons, the message is clear: if there is no easy meal waiting in town, there is far less reason for baboons to keep coming back.