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, remain calm and seek assistance from professionals trained in wildlife management.
A video has been circulated of a baboon at Black Marlin Restaurant in Miller’s Point, just south of Simon’s Town. The baboon is seen helping itself to food, eliciting an unfavourable reaction from diners.
In the video, a woman, in a bid to drive the animal away, throws a bowl of food at it and attempts to retrieve something held in its paw.
This action seemed to trigger a chain reaction among the other diners, who began hurling drinks and jugs of water at the table guest.
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Amid the commotion, a man’s voice is heard, urging calm and suggesting everyone remain still.
Other guests and potentially staff members also attempt to de-escalate the situation, with pleas of ‘don’t do that’ and ‘ladies, you need to move away’ directed at those engaging with the baboon.
However, these calls for restraint are largely ignored.
As the baboon begins leaping from table to table, another person tries to organise a collective effort to move everyone back, hoping to chase the baboon away.
The incident raises questions about the interaction between wildlife and urban spaces. While such encounters can be exciting, they also underscore the importance of respecting wildlife and responding appropriately in unexpected situations.
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The Black Marlin issued the following statement regarding the incident:
‘Baboons have become regular visitors to many sites around Simon’s Town, and our restaurant is no exception. Part of the allure of our restaurant is its amazing views. It is iconic and a must-visit for tourists, nestled in a beautiful, natural park, which does mean there are certain wildlife protocols and implications to adhere to. In this regard, we follow a strict SANPark-approved policy to manage the wildlife in the park without hurting them in any manner.’
‘All our front-of-house staff have been on awareness training, fences have been erected, and while minders are on hand to monitor for baboons and keep them away, it is imperative that should baboons ever enter the restaurant area, the proper safety protocols are observed. Our staff will quickly assist in removing baboons, and we plead with guests not to provoke, feed, engage with or intimidate the baboons in any way. This is both for their safety and for that of the animals.’
‘The safety of our guests is paramount, and fortunately, no baboon or guest was injured during this incident.’
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The Animal Welfare Society also released the following guidelines from the NCC Environmental Services on how to responsibly interact with baboons or photograph them:
- 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.
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Picture: Screenshot / Dlamini Simon / Facebook
