This monthly report covers the period from 1 to 31 May. This report covers the start of winter, with an increase in rainfall and further reduction in temperatures. During the winter months baboons try to spend more time in town to gain access to human-derived foods (HDFs). This is evident in a decrease in the average time out of town by troops, from 99.7% in April, to 99.3% this month.
Poor or absent waste management continued to be a major attractant for baboons into the urban environment during this reporting period, particularly in the South Eastern and South Western regions. Complete lack of baboon-proofing, as well as broken, cracked and non-baboon proof bins continued to be an issue. The results of a bin audit conducted in the Da Gama and Welcome Glen areas during the past few months, highlights this, with 339 bins needing replacing in this area alone.
