SPCA concerned for baboon welfare

The SPCA believes that most of the human-baboon conflicts are a result of baboons having been fed by ignorant or irresponsible members of the public. The price of ‘progress’ – such as housing developments which encroach into the baboons’ natural range – has also cost the baboons dearly.

Despite various efforts to educate the public on responsible baboon interaction and observation – in addition to formal baboon management measures – there has been an increasingly antagonistic interaction between some Cape Peninsula residents and the baboons.  This is also evidenced by an increasing number of deliberately inflicted injuries such as gunshot wounds.  The SPCA continues to commit valuable resources to dealing with any sick or injured baboon by way of darting capture and treatment.

Control measures

One of SPCA’s ongoing functions is to ensure that the protocols employed by the baboon monitoring service provider does not result in any cruelty that the baboons are treated humanely – and that any sick or injured baboon is managed appropriately humanely and effectively. 

The SPCA will ensure that any control measures used by the Baboon Monitors do not result in cruelty.  We acknowledge that the control measures (such as bull whips and ‘bear bangers”) aim to minimise conflict between baboons and residents thus ensuring the long term security and safety of both animals and people.

If the baboon troops are not adequately controlled it is inevitable that more baboons will suffer injuries as a result of conflict with people and the use of control measures has to be considered against this objective.

Recently the frightening effects from the noise of whips has been used as a control measure by the current service provider and their baboon monitors.  ‘Bear bangers’ have also been used by a group of Simon’s Town residents.  Whilst it has been reported that these devices are only used to produce a disturbing sound – as an aid to control baboon movement – the SPCA is concerned that the use of whips may suggest that these are used to strike the baboons.

There is also concern that the provision of a potentially harmful device could be abused by insufficiently trained and supervised staff.  The SPCA is currently investigating whether an equally effective and safer alternative is available and will monitor the situation on an ongoing basis. Any report of whip or bear banger misuse will be rigorously investigated by the SPCA Inspectorate.

Some people have raised concerns that the noise will also negatively impact on domestic pets and other wild animals. The SPCA has undertaken to investigate any reports of such problems.

[Posted 1 October 2009]