Authorities in Cape Town, South Africa, have released an updated baboon action plan aimed at reducing conflict between people and baboons, which regularly enter urban areas in search of food. The plan, which includes euthanasia of some baboons, has drawn criticism from animal welfare groups.
The plan says the population of chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in the Cape Peninsula has increased from 360 in 2000 to more than 600 in 2024, leading to increased conflict with humans.
To address these, the plan calls for nonlethal measures such as erecting baboon-proof fences that trained rangers will monitor and maintain. Baboons that breach the northern fence will be humanely euthanized, the plan says.
The plan also notes that certain troops will be captured and relocated to the mountain side of the northern fence. However, it adds “the likelihood of success is very low” due to limited suitable habitat. If baboons return to the urban side of the fence, they may be euthanized.
Another troop will be relocated to a 1.5-hectare (3.7-acre) baboon sanctuary where males will undergo a vasectomy. If the first enclosure proves successful, two more will be built; if it fails due to animal welfare concerns or lack of funding, the animals will be euthanized, the plan says.
The plan also sets upper limits for baboon populations: 250 for the northern subpopulation and 175 for the southern one. If the limits are exceeded for more than six months, “animals will be humanely euthanized” starting with the old, sick and injured.
Local NGOs, including Green Group Simonstown (GGST), say the plan prioritizes lethal control over addressing the root of the conflict. GGST advocates for more baboon-proof garbage bins to remove the food attracting baboons to residential areas to begin with. “The solution is not magic: deploy bins immediately … stop substituting lethal control for basic municipal service delivery,” GGST representatives told Mongabay by email.
A previous study found that baboon-proofing bins and homes successfully reduces conflict. Baboons still visited the study area, but instead of raiding garbage bins, “they spend the majority of their time peacefully foraging in the abundant fynbos vegetation on resident properties.”
Mongabay contacted eight authorities seeking clarification on the delayed rollout of bins. The only response we received was from a representative with the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT), which created the action plan. The statement says a “rollout of residential baboon-proof bins in high-impact areas” will be done by May 2026. CPBMJTT consists of representatives from SANParks, the government agency that manages South Africa’s national parks; CapeNature, the government entity responsible for managing natural areas in South Africa’s Western Cape Province; and the City of Cape Town.
Part of the baboon’s range in the Cape peninsula overlaps with a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A UNESCO spokesperson confirmed to Mongabay that they received the updated plan on Dec. 18 and are reviewing it with the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority.
“This review will form the basis for any recommendations or supportive measures deemed necessary to ensure the long-term conservation of” the UNESCO site, the spokesperson said.
Banner image: Baboons near Cape Town. Image courtesy of Green Group Simonstown.
