Hundreds rally in Simon's Town against proposed baboon removals

HUNDREDS of conservationists and animal rights supporters gathered in Simon's Town on Friday to protest against the proposed removal of five baboon troops from the Cape Peninsula.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

The demonstration followed growing public anger over the recent announcement by the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, comprising the City of Cape Town, CapeNature, and SANParks, which confirmed that nearly a quarter of the Peninsula's managed baboon population could be removed.

Protesters, many dressed in black and carrying signs that read “Stop the killing” and “Baboon lives matter”, marched from Simon's Town to the local municipal offices.

Chants of “Viva baboons” and “Phantsi killing” echoed through the streets as residents voiced their frustration at what they called the authorities’ failure to protect local wildlife.

According to the task team, the decision to remove the troops was based on increased human-baboon conflict, a decline in the welfare of the animals and their growing reliance on human food.

The five troops in question are from Simon's Town, Constantia and Glencairn. Officials cited public safety concerns and the difficulty of keeping the animals out of residential areas despite ranger efforts.

They also warned that injuries caused by electric shocks, snares and vehicles are rising.