The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT) — made up of SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town — has released the independent expert review of its proposed action plan for baboon management. The review, along with the CPBMJTT’s official responses, is now available at baboons.org.za.
The plan forms part of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP), which sets a framework for sustainably managing the Peninsula’s Chacma baboon population. Experts were asked to assess the ecological and practical aspects of managing an isolated wildlife population in an urban setting, including proposals such as the removal of four urban troops, preventing new troop establishments, reducing reliance on aversive tools, implementing a northern baboon fence, and trialling contraception in high-density areas. They also reviewed the proposed urban wildlife bylaw and guidelines for managing dispersing males.
Importantly, no final decisions have yet been made regarding troop removals. The review will next be discussed with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group (CPBAG), which represents community organisations, ratepayers’ associations, animal welfare bodies, and conservation groups.
The Cape Baboon Partnership continues operational tasks such as providing baboon rangers, managing the Baboon Hotline, and engaging with affected communities. Residents can join local WhatsApp groups for troop movement updates or view detailed troop reports on the official website.
The CPBMJTT emphasises that public transparency and stakeholder collaboration remain central to the management process.