Two more baboons have been euthanased. Jimmy is a baboon from the Smitswinkel Bay Troop and another from the Constantiaberg area.
Both were given a lethal injection.
Check out IOL News for the full story

 

Cape Town - Officials on Friday announced that Fred the baboon was euthanized. Fred had become one of the most famous baboons along the scenic Cape point Route and was often to be found in the Smitswinkel Bay area.

Fred had gained notoriety as a gang leader of the local troop and had developed the knack of opening car doors while lesser baboons tried to find more manual means of entering.

Officials said that Fred's behavior had become increasingly more aggressive in recent times and he had been responsible for the injuries to at least three people in 2010

There are more than 300 baboons roaming around the Cape Peninsula, most to be found in the Southern part and within the Table Mountain National Park.

On most days visitors are likely to see family groups along the roadside on the popular scenic route to the Cape of Good Hope.

Baboons are a protected species under South African law. Their aggressive pursuits of food increases as they are exposed to human food.

Cape Town's baboon management group said he was euthanized Friday because he was becoming increasingly aggressive.

"Unfortunately, this baboon's demise can be contributed mainly to the continuous misguided efforts by humans to befriend and feed baboons," the group's statement said. "Because people want to love, laugh at and be entertained by baboons, they start a cycle of events that can lead to tragedy, as in the case of this baboon."

People caught feeding baboons are liable for a fine of 1500 rand

Fred R.I.P

Finally it is here. The Western Cape Government has gazetted a new law which makes it illegal to feed baboons anywhere on the Cape Peninsula, in private areas or public areas.
The old law only prohibited feeding baboons on the side of the road.
This is a great law as we often witness people feeding these animals as we drive to the Cape Of Good Hope.
Baboons are wild animals they can be very aggressive, especially when trapped in an in-closed area. When we feed them they begin to associate humans and food. At a time they will become aggressive toward humans to get this food. Nature conservation officials will them have to put down the offending baboon.
What seemed to be harmless fun in the beginning leads to the early death of the baboon.
Cape Nature’s Fanie Bekker said,"The new legislation has now identified the shortcomings and... from now on anybody feeding any baboon anywhere will be liable to be prosecuted and charged."
Let's hope this can be enforced

News today is that Mike is looking for a new wife and a few days ago Sol was caught in an upmarket home and ‘arrested’.

This morning I was at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and a relative of these two mugged my guests, getting away with two cool drinks and some chocolate bars.