With its lush greenery and proximity to Cape Town’s urban edge, Constantia and surrounding areas are often prone to visitors of a ‘wilder’ nature, reports Cape {town} Etc.
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In fact, local optometrist Mullers saw a rather unusual customer browsing its premises at its branch in Constantia Village just two days ago.
Video footage of the baboon’s shopping trip shared to Peter Flentov, admin of community Facebook group The Atlantic Seaboard Community Forum, shows the baboon curiously checking out the store before gracefully exiting – empty-handed:
Take a look:
In the video, some commotion can be heard in the background to which a woman responds ‘Don’t freak out. No, but don’t scream’ while others are seen capturing footage of the incident.
This short interaction also serves as a reminder that while baboons, known for their playful antics and inquisitive nature, often become a common photographic subject when spotted along roads, in residential areas and around popular outdoor tourist attractions, they are still wild animals that should not be approached or fed, and handled with caution and calm.
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The Animal Welfare Society shared the following guidelines NCC Environmental Services on how to responsibly photograph and interact with baboons (and other wildlife):
- Do not disturb the animals or distract them from their natural behaviour.
- Do not feed them to lure them for the ‘perfect shot’. Feeding baboons is illegal and you can be fined up to R40 000 and/or receive one year’s imprisonment.
- Maintain a minimum distance of 15 metres from baboons at all times, as they may respond aggressively in defence of the troop.
- Remain in your vehicle if you encounter baboons on the side of the road. This will reduce the risk of an accident and minimise the disturbance to the troop.
- Avoid selfies, as this requires you to get close. Use social media responsibly to showcase the baboons from a safe distance instead.
Interacting with wild animals, including baboons, can be dangerous and unpredictable. For both personal safety and the well-being of the animals, maintain a respectful distance and do not engage with them. In the event of an encounter with a baboon, remain calm and seek assistance from professionals trained in wildlife management.
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Plans underway to secure baboon rangers for festive season and beyond
Picture: Screenshot from video
