Municipality weighs in on baboon saga
KNYSNA - Last week Knysna-Plett Herald published comments by Ward 9 Councillor Sharon Sabbagh in response to questions sent to the councillor by KPH about the ongoing issue with baboons in Hunter's Home and Rexford, along with retorts from community representatives Mark Sasman and Richard Thorpe. This week we have feedback from Knysna Municipality spokesperson Christopher Bezuidenhoudt, sent as a single statement and not as answers to specific questions. We publish this together with comments from Sasman, who is the HR Ward 9 representative.
Muni: The baboons have been in those areas for many years. Knysna Municipality appointed monitors to track the baboon movement in these areas. Mark Sasman –
Appointed untrained, ill-equipped people to chase baboons – zero monitoring or record keeping of any description – a disingenuous attempt at appeasement – a waste of resources with zero plan.
Muni: CapeNature, under whose primary responsibility this resort has assisted in the past by guiding us; we also have a baboon management plan approved by council.
Mark Sasman – NOT fit for use. This refers to a management plan from 2015 - outdated and irrelevant given today’s issues + not implemented and not funded – how is that a plan?!
Muni: We realise that the troops have increased after the 2017 Knysna Fires. Mark
Sasman – The fires may have contributed but certainly the issues were well known and heavily debated before this. Using the fires as causal is smoke and mirrors.
Muni: We work hand-in-hand with the Knysna Baboon Action Group, CapeNature, and SANParks, always looking for ways to further enhance the coexistence between humans and baboons. We intend to improve our efforts with Pezula Private Estate to see how we can assist with our monitors to ensure that we deter the baboons from raiding homes. The baboons seem to be addicted to human food, and that is keeping them in the areas. Mark Sasman – No mention that this so-called addiction is bad for the baboon population as found by experts. There has been some effort, but a lot better management could be implemented in terms of on-estate animal management from these developments. The requirements of the authorised management plans and development planning requirements are not implemented adequately, with little due diligence.
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