The group’s innovative baboon management strategy in the Cape Peninsula shows promise, with it calling for broader adoption of their compassionate methods. Picture: Dominic Naidoo / GGST
Green Group Simonstown (GGST) has reported significant success in its Baboon Monitoring and Civil Coexistence Project, aimed at managing human-wildlife conflict involving the Simonsberg Baboon Troop in Simon’s Town.
The project, which began as a pilot in 2022, represents a shift from traditional deterrence methods and highlights the potential for more humane strategies in wildlife management across the Cape Peninsula.
The Simonsberg (Baboon) Troop, a splinter group from the Smitswinkel Baboon Troop, has long posed challenges for residents and local authorities. With no official service provider assigned, attempts to manage the troop using conventional methods were unsuccessful.
Recognising the need for a new approach, GGST launched a community-funded pilot project to reduce conflict between the troop and the local community, focusing on ethical and sustainable practices.
"Splinter troops occur naturally in healthy primate populations," explained GGST. By addressing the root causes of conflict — particularly food attractants — the project sought to encourage peaceful coexistence between humans and baboons.
Rather than resorting to violent deterrents such as paintball guns, GGST employed alternative strategies, including baboon-proof waste bins and collaborative recycling efforts.
The results have been striking. According to GGST, the Simonsberg Troop has exhibited a notable change in behaviour, spending more time in natural habitats and relying less on human-derived food.
"This was accomplished without using aggressive deterrents," said the organisation, which credits its holistic approach and constant monitoring for the breakthrough. The troop now ventures into urban areas far less frequently, choosing instead to forage on the nearby mountains and coastlines.
Waste management has been a crucial factor in the project’s success. GGST’s efforts to improve waste disposal in Simon’s Town, including a local wet waste collection initiative started in October 2022, have significantly reduced the availability of human food for baboons.
Supported by the City of Cape Town, the initiative has also benefited local farmers by providing compost and has helped upskill the local community.
Despite these successes, challenges remain elsewhere in the Peninsula. GGST highlighted that the Waterfall Troop, managed by a different service provider, continues to experience conflict with humans, with violent deterrents still in use.
"We are not responsible for managing the Waterfall Troop," GGST clarified, adding that their involvement with this troop is limited to organising volunteers who assist in traffic safety when baboons are near the main road.
GGST now proposes expanding its management role to include the Waterfall Troop, with the goal of creating a more harmonious coexistence across Simon’s Town.
"We are prepared to assume responsibility for both the Simonsberg and Waterfall Troops," the group announced, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable, compassionate wildlife management in the region.
“This success story, centred on the Simonsberg Troop, offers a model for broader adoption of ethical wildlife management practices across the Cape Peninsula and beyond,” the group concluded.
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