Baboon Management Overstrand

Publicly available monthly reports are produced about the baboon management project. These contain raiding activity and out of town records of the baboon troops in Hermanus (Voelklip Troop) and Pringle Bay (Pringle Bay Troop), as well as a breakdown of hotline calls for the month. In addition to this, monthly, seasonal and daily trends of baboon behaviour are reported on.

To see our latest reports as well as the report archive, click on the Reports Archive button below.

This monthly report covers the period from 1 to 31 October 2020. October saw temperatures increasing and rainfall becoming less frequent.

For the second consecutive month, the Vogelgat Troop spent 100% of its time out of town, an indication of the continued success of the HWS Virtual Fence method.  The Vogelgat Troop spent much of its time within the Vogelgat and Maanschynkop Nature reserves this month.

Although the Voëlklip troop spent more time out of town this month, time out of town for individuals has decreased. Once in town, single baboons or small groups of baboons are able to easily hide in between houses, making them difficult to locate. Many houses are also unoccupied during the day, allowing the baboons to hide on the properties undisturbed as the rangers are unable to obtain access to these properties.

The Pringle Bay troop spent more time in town this month.  This is due to regular use of sleepsites on the urban edge as well as lengthening daylight hours, creating opportunities for the troop is to enter town before rangers arrive.  Attractants in town are also numerous at this time of year, in addition to Human Derived Foods, obtained from waste and houses, there is also abundant natural and cultivated forage in the form of flowers and fruits in town.