BABOON ACTIVISTS PLAN PROTEST

Activists are rallying together to hold a protest, which comes after the recent euthanasia of two baboons that were mauled by dogs over the weekend.

The Cape Baboon Partnership and SPCA responded to sick and injured baboons, after several urgent welfare issues arose in the northern baboon (Tokai and Constantia) troops over the last week.

The Cape Baboon Partnership said two baboons required humane euthanasia, including a very sickly juvenile baboon from CT2 (troop) and an adult female baboon from the Tokai troop that had been mauled by dogs.

They added that a subadult male from MT2 (troop) was killed by a vehicle, a juvenile male from CT1 (troop) was attacked by dogs, and the search for an adult male in the MT1 troop that was spotted with a snare around his body continues.

The group said: “Human landscapes are exceptionally dangerous for all wildlife, including baboons, caracals, porcupines, penguins and more. 

“From accidents like vehicle collisions and electrocutions to intentional, illegal harm caused by disgruntled people, there are numerous risks to wild animals entering urban and peri-urban areas.”

They urged the public to follow the upcoming educational series on the dangers of the urban landscape, where they will share some common causes of injuries and deaths of baboons in the Cape Peninsula and what can be done to help prevent further harm.

Baboon activist group, Baboon Matters added: "When people speak of the loss of predators from the Cape ecosystem, they overlook dogs and humans who have killed many baboons in recent years.