The Baboon Project
Baboons in the table mountain national park become short of food in the winter
months. Sub adult males get displaced from their troops and end up foraging
for food in the suburbs of CapeTown
Back to Africa assists by offering
veterinary assistance to injured baboons and with immobilization and relocation
of problem animals. Conflict between line fisherman and Cape fur seals
is a big problem in the Western Cape. Seals are shot by fisherman when
competition occurs in the snoek shoals. Back to Africa offers veterinary
assistance to these seals when the need arises
Back to Africa assists the Cape Baboon Research Unit, University of Cape
Town.
As part of Back to Africa’s assistance to conservation in Africa we
will assist the University of Cape Towns Baboon research unit. The conflict
between baboons and humans on the Cape Peninsula is a reality that affects
many residents. This has understandably resulted conflict and intolerance.
The only way for us to understand the issues at hand and to find ways of
dealing with them is to study them enabling us to formulate management
strategies that will prevent the human baboon conflict.
Many of us forget will live in an area bordered by a national park. It is
our responsibility to learn how to preserve our special biodiversity and
baboons are very much part of this.
Ironically the baboon troops of the Cape Peninsula are the only protected
population of this species in Southern Africa. Despite their unique status
their numbers are declining and the population is now in real trouble. Effective
reduction of conflict levels between baboons and humans, and the survival
of this threatened baboon population, is dependent on the
implementation of informed baboon management plans. Research is the only
answer to prevent conflict and to allow us to enjoy the presence of these
special
animals in our environment.
Much needed funds are required to fit baboons with satellite
collars.
Money is also needed to provide the necessary veterinary care to
expedite this and to treat injured animals that are the
victim of the
human animal interface.
Back to Africa
intends sourcing the collars, immobilizing baboons to fit and will use
our
experience gained from our sable tracking toassist with the telemetry.