This monthly report covers the period from 1 to 30 April 2020. Management of the Voëlklip Troop in Hermanus and the Pringle Bay Troop are discussed. During this month the use of Virtual Fence continued as the primary method of managing the Voëlklip Troop, but paintball markers still continued to be used for backup. Management of the Pringle Bay Troop continued through the use of paintball markers only.
The Vogelgat Troop showed an increased presence in the urban environment during this month, with an increase in the number of reports to the hotline during April. They continue to raid in the eastern avenues of Hermanus, with the majority of reports to the hotline highlighting individuals in town, rather than the entire troop. HWS is currently not mandated to manage this troop, but when resources allow (when the Voëlklip Troop is not in, or near the edge, of town), the baboon rangers assist in moving them back to their natural environment. By providing this additional assistance to this troop, HWS is attempting to prevent individuals learning these bad raiding behaviours from each other.
The percentage time out of town for the Pringle Bay Troop decreased from 94.9% in March to 90.8% this month. Once again, the troop predominantly slept at the Professor Sleep Site which is less than 100m from the edge of town. The troop utilized this site on 26 nights (87%) during April. This sleep site, in particular, provides the baboons with very easy access to the urban environment, resulting in a lower percentage of time out of town, with the baboons often moving during times when the rangers are not on duty (early mornings and late evenings). As with last month, the Hangklip Troop moved north into the Pringle Bay Troop’s home range for approximately eight days. This provided additional motivation for the Pringle Bay Troop to move into town.
