Baboon Management Overstrand

Publicly available monthly reports are produced about the baboon management project. These contain data regarding urban inucrsions and out of town records of the baboon troops in Hermanus (Voelklip and Vogelgat Troops) 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.

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This monthly report covers the period from 1 to 31 July 2021.

Although the time out of town for individuals of the Voëlklip Troop increased in July, unfortunately the troop managed to enter the urban space on one occasion and consequently the time out of town for troop decreased to 99.8%.  The troop continued primarily to use the western sleepsites above Hermanus Heights and also to forage in that area and on, or around, the farms there.

Many conflicts between the males in the Vogelgat Troop were observed this month, with VGM2 frequently participating in the conflicts. The troop continued to spend much of its time in the eastern parts of its home range, but multiple attempts were made to approach town, with individuals or small groups of baboon successfully entering the urban area. The Virtual Fence was used to keep the troop out of town 100% of the time in July.

The Onrus Troop approached the urban edge on a single occasion in July, but were deterred by HWS staff. The Hamilton Russel Troop was seen once in July and made no attempts to approach the urban edge.

Despite the Pringle Bay Troop spending 100% of its time out of town this month, individual time in town increased considerably.  Small groups of baboons entered the urban space during three distinct periods that lasted multiple days on each occasion. The individuals that entered town spent these days separated from the troop and slept near the urban edge, while the troop remained in the catchment area.  The number of occupied house incursions in July increased significantly, with PBM2 participating in 14 occupied house incursions.

The Hangklip Troop spent 100% of its time out of town this month while individuals time out of town increased from 95.6% to 98.5%. Individuals were observed in town on two days, while the troop approached the urban edge on a single occasion and were successfully deterred from entering. The Silversands Troop, that is believed to be a split of the original Hangklip Troop, spent 100% of its time out of town, while time out of town for individuals was 95.7%.  Individuals of this troop entered town on 13 days in July.  Most incursions were just by adult males.

Despite the Betty’s Bay Troop entering town less frequently than in June (17 days in July), the troop spent larger amounts of time in town, causing time out of town to decrease from 91.3% in June to 87.4% in July. Time out of town for individuals also decreased this month, from 85.5% in June to 78.8% in July. BBM1, BBM3 and BBF1 were observed to participate in a variety of house incursions during which all these individuals damaged the houses to gain entry on at least one occasion.