The first batch of baboon-proof bins will be delivered to some of the most affected communities in Cape Town’s Far South later this month, as work also gets under way on a new northern boundary fence aimed at keeping baboons out of urban and agricultural areas.
The Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT), made up of representatives from SANParks, CapeNature and the City of Cape Town, says the interventions form part of the approved Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
The practical Action Plan for implementing the strategy was approved by the three authorities in November 2025.
2 200 baboon-proof bins to be delivered
The City’s Urban Waste Management Directorate will begin distributing the first 2 200 of 6 000 lockable baboon-proof bins by mid-September.
The most affected communities will be prioritised, including Plateau Road, Castle Rock, Heron Park, Murdoch Valley South, De Oude Weg, Da Gama, Capri, Welcome Glen, Scarborough, Tokai East and Fir Grove.
Each residence in the prioritised areas will receive a lockable bin, which will be exchanged for the existing bin.
Residents or their representatives will need to sign for the new bin when it is delivered and are being encouraged to clearly mark it with their street number.
The task team says baboon-proof bins will eventually be distributed to all affected Far South communities as more bins become available.
Simon’s Town is not included in the rollout, as the Seaforth and Waterfall troops are earmarked for relocation to the planned Urban Wildlife Centre.
Northern fence to take about six months
Work on a new northern boundary fence stretching from Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek is expected to begin later this month, following the completion of environmental checks and administrative approvals.
The fence is intended to secure baboon habitat for around 250 baboons in the northern region and create a single baboon-proof barrier between Table Mountain National Park and surrounding agricultural and residential properties.
The project is being delivered through a public-private partnership involving seven wine-farm landowners in the Constantia Valley, the Cape Baboon Partnership and the City.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed following a year of negotiations, setting out shared responsibility for construction, maintenance and the long-term operation of the fence.
Construction and upgrades are expected to take about six months, if all goes according to plan.
Once the fence is in place, the Constantia 1 and Constantia 2 troops will be encouraged, with the assistance of rangers, to move to the mountain side of the barrier.
Rangers will continue monitoring the troops and patrolling the fence line.
Under the plan, baboons will not be allowed to cross into the urban environment, farms or beyond Constantia Nek.
The construction cost will be shared by the landowners and the Cape Baboon Partnership, with the City contributing a once-off R10 million towards the project. All parties will also contribute to future maintenance, including inspections, repairs and firebreak maintenance.
Urban Wildlife Centre progressing
Meanwhile, plans for an Urban Wildlife Centre on City-owned land on the Cape Peninsula are progressing.
The Seaforth and Waterfall troops are expected to be relocated to the centre once it becomes operational, and the necessary processes have been finalised.
The Cape Baboon Partnership has appointed an experienced sanctuary manager to oversee the long-term management of the facility.
The task team says several stakeholder groups, environmental organisations, community representatives and residents have visited the site over the past two months, with feedback so far described as positive.
Court challenge dismissed
The latest developments follow a Western Cape High Court ruling dismissing an urgent application brought by the Liberty Fighters Network and Reyno de Beer on 28 August.
The applicants sought the recusal of the judge, but the application was dismissed with costs.
The court had previously dismissed an application in February seeking to interdict the CPBMJTT from implementing the Action Plan.
At the time, the court affirmed the constitutional and statutory mandate of SANParks, CapeNature and the City to work together on implementing the strategic plan.
Research into new baboon deterrents
A Swansea University research project examining new baboon deterrents has also been completed.
The study, involving the Da Gama troop, tested non-invasive approaches using olfactory, auditory and visual cues to better understand how baboons respond to potential risks and make decisions about where to move, forage and rest.
All tracking collars used in the research successfully self-released and were collected by the research team on 21 August.
The data is now being analysed, with the findings expected to be made public once the study is fully completed.
The Cape Baboon Partnership continues to provide baboon rangers, operate the Baboon Hotline and conduct community liaison and education.
Residents affected by baboon activity can access troop movement updates and information through the Cape Baboon Partnership’s website.
The CPBMJTT says the overall aim is to establish a healthy and sustainable free-ranging baboon population while reducing human-baboon conflict and the need for day-to-day aversive measures.
