The Cape Peninsula Baboon Advisory Group will be officially constituted next month if all goes as planned. This is according to the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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The CPBMJTT, which included members from SANParks, CapeNature, and the City of Cape Town, also intended to tell baboon-affected communities that plans are being developed to allow for the presence of baboon rangers throughout the next transition phase.
In June, the CPBMJTT convened meetings with baboon-affected communities to discuss the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan (CPBSMP), its execution, and the creation of area-based solutions in collaboration with the communities.
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The objective was to report back to communities on the transition phase, which would begin at midnight on December 31, 2024, when the contract with NCC Environmental Services expires.
Over the last few years, the City has contracted NCC to manage the Urban Baboon Programme, which includes the provision of baboon rangers to keep troops as far away from the urban area and in their natural habitat as feasible.
The CPBMJTT can confirm as follows:
- Options have been explored, and supply-chain processes are underway to permit the presence of baboon rangers in vulnerable areas in the coming months.
- As the existing Urban Baboon Programme comes to an end at the end of November, a short-term solution will be needed to cover the December timeframe.
- An interim solution will address the transition period beginning January 1, 2025.
- The longer-term options under consideration include a grant-in-aid with a non-profit organisation (NPO) or the establishment of a special purpose vehicle to assist with the implementation of area-based solutions and other tasks that must a) operationalise the Baboon Strategic Management Plan and b) ensure the transition to a more sustainable urban baboon programme that involves communities as well as the CPBMJTT.
- The details of the long-term solution will be revealed after they have been determined.
The CPBMJTT received over 120 nomination forms for representatives to serve on the CPBAG and is now reviewing them.
The organisations and groups that submitted nominations meeting the nomination criteria to serve on the CPBAG will be notified of the outcome of their submissions and the initial CPBAG meeting in due time.
The objective is to form the CPBAG as soon as feasible to ensure ongoing engagement as the transition time approaches.
CPBAG members will represent their local communities, academic and research institutions, and Cape Peninsula organisations having a direct interest in baboon management.
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The CPBAG is responsible for advising the CPBMJTT on how to achieve the CPBSMP’s intended outcomes, supporting its implementation at the local level, ensuring ongoing and constructive engagement between constituencies and the CPBMJTT, and assisting in the development of strategic partnerships with stakeholders.
Annual chacma baboon population count.
The latest yearly census of the baboon population has been completed.
This census provides a detailed breakdown of the changes in the baboon population from July 2023 to June 2024.
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Picture: Charl Durand / Pexels
