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