GEORGE NEWS - The frequent baboon raids close to the edge of town can be attributed to the ongoing drought and widespread fires in the region.
George Municipality Director of Community Services, Walter Hendricks, says the situation is complicated.
"The baboons' habitats have been reduced and this has led to troops foraging in residential areas.
"Easier accessible food in residential areas is especially convenient for female baboons with babies, which we have seen more of this year."
Residents who have been plagued with baboons raiding their dustbins and even attacking their pets, will have to learn to live with this reality.
"There is no magical formula to make the problem disappear," Hendricks says.
"While we understand the frustrations of wanting to grow food crops and have freedom of movement, the reality of living on the Garden Route, especially those of us who live on the urban edge, is that we share habitat with wildlife which will have an impact on us, just as we have had an impact on theirs."
Residents should also not leave dog food outside or feed wild birds or porcupines on the property, as this often attracts baboons onto the property.
Baboon management
The George Municipality has two full-time employees dedicated to baboon management.
Measures include intercepting baboon troops at their access points from the mountains, frightening them away with pepper guns and responding to reports of destructive behaviour and roaming in residential areas.
The proliferation of smaller groups makes baboon management more difficult to manage, as their movements are no longer contained to a few access points from behind the mountains.
The municipality continues to do what it can within its mandate and, when and where necessary, work with conservation agency CapeNature.
"The municipality appeals to residents to keep their dustbins closed, sliding doors bolted and windows and doors shut, especially when leaving the house and/or when troops are in the vicinity.
"Residents should also not leave dog food outside or feed wild birds or porcupines on the property, as this often attracts baboons onto the property.
"For mitigating measures to be most effective, all residents in a baboon-visited neighbourhood should make a concerted effort to ensure that there is no easy access to food - as baboons are more likely to move on if there is nothing for them to eat."
Numbers to dial
George Municipality Baboon Management: 044 801 6300 and CapeNature Conservation Services: 044 802 5333.
ARTICLE: PAULINE LOURENS, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST
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