In a significant development for wildlife management on the Cape Peninsula, the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) was officially established and the members announced, responsible for carrying out the Baboon Strategic Management Plan (BSMP).

The task team, which includes representatives from SANParks (South African National Parks), CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, and advisors consisting of community stakeholders, including representatives from residents’ associations, environmental groups, academic institutions, and animal welfare organisations, will aim to strike a balance between preserving the region’s Chacma baboon population and addressing the concerns of local communities, like the increasing human-wildlife conflicts.

The announcement of the task team’s role comes as part of a larger effort to implement strategies that will ensure both the safety of the public and the wellbeing of the baboons.

In December 2024, the CPBMJTT formalised its partnership with the Shark Spotters, a non-profit organisation known for its work in public safety along the peninsula’s coastline.

The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the City of Cape Town and the Shark Spotters marks a crucial milestone in the implementation of the BSMP.

Under this agreement, the Shark Spotters will play a pivotal role in the programme, with a focus on operational tasks that include securing funding, managing baboon ranger services, and facilitating community education on the subject of baboon management.

The Shark Spotters, as a non-profit, will have the ability to access a variety of funding sources, including grants, sponsorships, and donations from local businesses and affected communities. These funds will be crucial for a range of tasks, from deploying baboon rangers to conducting vital research and education programmes.

A field manager along with baboon rangers will monitor and manage baboon troops in key areas.

They will also assist in the creation of physical boundaries between urban spaces and natural areas to prevent baboons from encroaching into human settlements.

Baboons love walking along natures roads, especially the Coastal paths. Picture: Armand Hough/African News Agency(ANA)

A core part of their mission will be to engage with animal welfare organisations, local residents, and academic institutions to develop sustainable solutions.

Regular updates on the programme’s progress will be provided to the public, ensuring transparency and keeping the community informed on how the plan is unfolding.

The group will also have a role in public education, helping local communities understand how to coexist with baboons while promoting awareness of the management plan.

Through this outreach, the group will aim to reduce misunderstandings and foster better relationships between baboons and residents.

This new partnership is the culmination of over two years of work by the CPBMJTT. The involvement of the Shark Spotters signals a new chapter in this effort, one that aims to bring greater support and resources to the management of the baboon population.

The CPBAG will offer advice, ensure that local concerns are addressed, and help facilitate communication between stakeholders.

The work of the CPBAG will be essential in keeping the focus on both the long-term wellbeing of the baboons and the needs of the local communities affected by the presence of the baboons.

The combined efforts of the CPBMJTT, the Shark Spotters, and the CPBAG are set to provide a model for human-wildlife management in the region by pooling resources, expertise, and community input, the group aims to create a framework where baboons and humans can coexist more harmoniously.

tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za

Weekend Argus