Authorities in Cape Town are struggling to gain control of an increasing problem with aggressive baboons. The crisis is being blamed on tourists and tour operators who offer food to the animals in order to lure them into position for souvenier photographs. Last week baboon were blamed for “vandalizing” a car.
The car was parked on the road bettwen Miller’s Point and Simon’s Town while the owner went fishing. Residents in the area reported that baboons tried to open the doors, which were locked. When they couldn’t gain access to the car, they bounced on the roof, bit mirrors and even ripped off the door’s rubber strip. Residents are calling on the city to take address the problem, stating that this is not the first such incident in the neighborhood.
All across the city, baboons are becoming more aggressive in search of food. Tour bus operators and even tourists have been feeding the animals for so long that the baboons now equate people, and even cars, with food. The city has begun enforcing fines to anyone caught feeding baboons, but many fear that the behavior is now engrained in the animals and can not be unlearned.
Primate researchers believe that getting tourists and operators to stop feeding the baboons will eventually lead the animals to give up the search for food. Residents in Simon’s Town are asking for clear signage warning people not to feed the animals and for baboon monitors to police the area. They are also asking that the fines be increased.
Travelers heading to Cape Town are should keep in mind that the fines are being strictly enforced and may be going up in amount in the near future. Check with Cape Town South Africa hotels to make sure that tours of the city respect the law and remember that even if tour operators promise that they won’t get caught, the lasting effect of that cute baboon photo will be felt by area residents.
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