Residents of the southern and mountainous areas of Cape Town are living in increasing fear as baboons continue to invade their homes and disrupt daily life. For the past four years, the community has been plagued by these persistent animals, which rummage through bins, break windows, and even enter homes in search of food.
“We didn’t have this problem until around 2020,” said a resident from Da Gama Park. “Before that, the baboon management strategy we had worked well.” But now, many are at their wits’ end as the baboon incursions grow more frequent and aggressive. One local described how baboons would enter her home in the morning while she was at work, sometimes causing damage by breaking windows in their quest for food.
The situation has become a serious concern, particularly after an incident in August 2024, when baboons raided Kommetjie Eco Pre-Primary School for three consecutive days, stealing children’s lunchboxes. The troubling sight of baboons scavenging in areas once considered safe for children has heightened fears among parents and residents.
In response to the escalating issue, a joint task team was formed, bringing together the City of Cape Town, SANParks, and Cape Nature to address the problem. They implemented a temporary solution, deploying baboon rangers to monitor the animals and prevent them from entering urban areas. However, residents say that the measures, which lasted only one month, were not sufficient and have raised questions about the sustainability of such short-term efforts.
In a recent statement, the City of Cape Town acknowledged that the problem persists and revealed that due to limited funding, the number of baboon rangers will be reduced for the coming months. The city has appointed the NCC group to oversee the presence of rangers from December 1 to 31, 2024, but the scale of the operation will be smaller than before. The municipality has called on residents to practice responsible waste management and remain vigilant.
“Due to limited funding, the number of rangers monitoring the troops during this time will be less than before,” the statement read. “As such, residents and businesses are kindly advised to please practise responsible waste management at all times and be vigilant.”
Residents, however, remain unconvinced that these measures will provide long-term relief. Many are calling on government institutions to develop a comprehensive, sustainable solution to the baboon problem, rather than relying on temporary fixes that fail to address the root cause.
“The situation is becoming unbearable. We need a long-term plan, not just short-term interventions,” one resident said. “These animals are getting bolder, and we are left wondering what will happen next.”
With baboons increasingly becoming a threat to both homes and schools, the community’s frustration is growing, as they fear that, come January 2025, the problem could spiral out of control if not properly addressed. For now, residents continue to face the daily challenge of coexisting with wildlife that seems to have little fear of the urban environment.
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