Reconsider methods of controlling baboons

THE FIRST week of 2013 began with a bang and a whimper for Peninsula baboons as the controversial pain-aversion technique of paintballing continued to be used.

Adult males, females and juveniles can be targeted by baboon rangers at any time of the day.

To illustrate paintball usage, earlier this week 150 paintballs were picked up in one paintballs plattered street in Welcome Glen.

Paintballing was recommended at a public meeting in February last year by the head of a local baboon research unit as a shortterm solution to baboons’ raiding. Electric fencing was seen as a longterm solution. Many residents have, in the past, effectively prevented raids by baboon-proofing and food-waste management.

However, not all scientists and experts agree with these methods. Paintballing was implemented in July on the Peninsula troops, causing an outcry from concerned witnesses. Paintballing is used in conjunction with the previously effective humane methods of shouting and whistling.

From a scientific viewpoint, efficacy in keeping baboons out of urban areas cannot be attributed to paintballing.

Phil Richardson of Human Wildlife Solutions , the service provider, has said the next stage of his strategy would be to have paintballers concealed in hides, with remote-controlled pepperspray, and bear bangers deployed simultaneously to cause the baboons to think it is “Armageddon” and hopefully “clear out”.

Another area of controversy last year was the culling of male baboons. Big Mama became leader of the Da Gama Park fission troop of about a dozen females after alpha male Peter was shot on SANParks land in August, with the other male, Carpenter, shot in September. The intention had been to remove the small troop by removing the males so the females join the main troop.

Unsuccessful attempts had been made months before to push the troops together.

A possible reason for the failure was that either the females or the young of the small troop were being attacked by baboons in the larger main troop.

If controversial or experimental strategies are implemented and fail, it would appear increasingly necessary to include a wider range of expert opinion in management of the Peninsula baboons.