Baboon parties no picnic

GEORGE NEWS - Residents in some areas of Denneoord are being pushed past the point of despair because of baboons entering their streets, gardens and on occasion also their homes, causing havoc and damage.

A petition signed by almost 100 residents was handed over to George Municipality and CapeNature to ask that something be done to bring relief.

"We have been living here for more than 10 years and it is as if it is getting worse," says a desperate resident who wishes to remain anonymous.

"The troops coming through here are much bigger and their presence is more frequent than when we first got here. There were definitely not as many of them 13 years ago and it was only occasionally that they would come into the neighbourhood. I once recently counted 17 baboons. There were lots of young ones and some females even had two babies clinging to them."

She says some residents theorise that two leopards that had roamed the mountain have gone and this was causing the baboon numbers to increase.

"We feel like prisoners in our own homes. People fear for their dogs and children playing outside. We have to keep our doors and windows shut all the time."

She says baboons can also squeeze through burglar bars and security gates.

"A baboon once got through underneath my security gate, grabbed a bread that I had just put down on the kitchen counter and when he tried to escape, the bread in his mouth stopped him from getting back out. I eventually managed to open the gate so that the animal could escape."

Another resident had baboons enter his home when he was not there. "It was as if a hurricane had hit the kitchen. It was a complete mess and there was baboon dung in the sink," she said.

On another occasion, baboons fighting on the louvre roof of one resident's verandah damaged the fascia.

Some people fear for their dogs and children, rather calling them inside when there are signs of baboon activity.

The resident said she has gone to great lengths to try to get the municipality's refuse removal section to collect rubbish bags in their area first thing in the morning, but her efforts have been fruitless.

"People who work have to put out their bags early; there is nothing else they can do. The bags simply need to be collected early."

Baboon chaos. A nasty surprise awaited the owner of this home on his return after baboons raided the kitchen.

Can the authorities help?

CapeNature spokesperson Petro van Rijn said the primary responsibility of CapeNature regarding the management of human-wildlife conflict is providing the legal framework (including compliance management) in terms of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, as well as an advisory service.

"The operational management of baboon conflict and nuisance falls outside the mandate of CapeNature. The George Municipality may apply for relevant permits from CapeNature for the use of restricted activities and methods that they contemplate necessary to manage or mitigate baboon conflict."

She said an effective waste management strategy is important.

"Residents also have a role to play by ensuring that their properties do not contain food sources. Residents need to be vigilant and also prevent baboons from gaining access to their houses.

"Baboon management should follow an integrated approach with more than one management option to mitigate the conflict, including waste management, baboon monitors and education."

George Muni: 'Not our responsibility'

George municipal head of communications Chantèl Edwards said the municipality initiated a three-month trial in 2015 with the appointment of temporary baboon monitors. Thereafter two officials assisted with ad hoc animal complaints during weekdays.

"These officials were not put in place to deal with problematic baboons and/or after hour complaints. There are currently no baboon monitors employed due to budgetary constraints and noting that the operational management of baboons is not a municipal mandate."

The municipality held information sessions to advise the relevant residents on how to deal with baboons. "As previously stated by Cape Nature, baboons are a protected species and co-existence must be practised."

She said residents need to secure their properties against baboons and ensure there are no food sources available. Specific problematic animals can be removed only if there is enough evidence to indicate that the animal cannot be relocated.

"Refuse collection in Denneoord takes place on a Wednesday and is first on the list with collection starting at approximately 07:45. Residents are requested to assist by only placing refuse out on the morning of collection."

Baboon dung in the kitchen sink.