Press Release – Pringle Bay Baboon Troop

Pringle Bay managed their baboons very successfully for many years. The monitors were employed by the Pringle Bay Ratepayers’ Association, with money collected from residents. The kindly, shepherding team of monitors knew where the baboons were and gently followed them every day. When the baboons ventured into town, the monitors would warn businesses and residents that they were around by blowing whistles or clapping their hands. Residents had enough time to shut doors or windows and the baboons generally stayed out. Where a baboon did get into a house, the monitors would assist residents with getting them out, if necessary.

In November 2019 the Overstand Municipality employed HWS (Human Wildlife Solutions) to manage the baboons. The gentlemen’s agreement with the Pringle Bay Ratepayers’ Association was that HWS would manage the troop in the same gentle and nurturing manner previously used in Pringle Bay. It was also agreed that HWS would employ the old Pringle Bay monitors. This would not only ensure work for local people, but the baboons knew the monitors and the residents believed the monitors would continue to warn them of the presence of baboons.

In November 2020 the Pringle Bay troop disappeared. When residents queried where they were they were told that the troop had gone to Grabouw for the apple season. Upon investigation, one of the nature organizations (ReWilding) in Pringle Bay found out that in fact the baboons had been chased across the R44 and were restrained at the Buffels Dam by force. This nature organization obtained three affidavits, which were supplied to the Overstrand Municipality, but no official response was received other than from Liezl de Villiers, who admitted in a Whatsapp message that the baboons had been forced across the R44 to the dam. This was after HWS had blatantly lied by saying that the baboons had gone there of their own accord. Immediate concerns were raised about the sustainability of the food supply at the dam. In addition, many residents predicted that the void left behind in Pringle Bay would just be filled by another troop, most likely the Hangklip troop.

Residents were assured that the food supply at the dam was plentiful. Reality, a year later, reflects a vastly different picture. According to the July 2021 HWS monthly report there was insufficient food at the dam and this is why the troop had split up, with many baboons returning to Pringle Bay. Subsequently some members of the Pringle Bay troop, looking decidedly malnourished, have been seen in Rooi-els and we have been are advised by longtime residents of Rooi-els that this is the first time in approximately 30 years.

Since HWS started managing the baboons in Pringle Bay, we have seen the management style change from one of gently shepherding the troop to an aggressive style of chasing the baboons, firing paintballs indiscriminately, without any regard for the welfare of the baboons. Even the fynbos is trampled underfoot in the chase. The monitors brought in from the Cape Peninsula seem to find the chasing of baboons a sport. They trespass on private property and in the nature reserve without any regard for endangered species or other fauna. When residents ask them to leave their private property, the monitors are rude and arrogant. Many residents have complained that paintballs strike their houses, leaving paint splattered all over their homes. Another resident has had monitors peering into her bedroom window in the morning. This is entirely unacceptable conduct.

The Pringle Bay troop at the dam now has a new alpha male from the Buffels Dam troop and he has subsequently been joined by another adult male from the Buffels Dam troop. With this, second, male joining the troop, the old alpha male (Santana, also known as Biggie) fled the troop with one female, a small baby and a juvenile. Both these smaller baboons are Santana’s offspring and it would have been unsafe for them to stay at the dam as the new alphas would kill these youngsters.

On 21 July 2021 this old Pringle Bay alpha was killed by HWS/OM. The reason given for this was that he looked poorly, and was underweight. At the postmortem it was determined that he was indeed underweight, had worn teeth and ringworm. We have subsequently been advised that all the baboons in this region may have very poor teeth due to the lack of naturally occurring fluoride in the water. Santana was also quite elderly, but still fit and happy. It is safe to assume that most animals, including baboons, living in this region have a number of parasites, which don’t necessarily affect their overall health or condition in the short term.
At the moment HWS continues to keep our troop at the dam, where there is little to no food, something of which they are well aware. If the baboons do break free, and for instance go to Rooi-els, they are promptly chased back to the dam. Any baboon who is able to get back to Pringle Bay is also sent packing back to the dam, as soon as HWS can achieve this. When they are in one of the villages, they are chased to such a degree that no foraging can take place, hence the very skinny baboons we are seeing in the PB troop.

Santana’s partner and baby are currently living in the Brodie Link reserve. She cannot go back to the dam, as the current alpha male is likely to kill Santana’s baby. Even this baboon and her baby are constantly monitored/chased in the reserve. She is stressed and very thin.

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