The transition to a more sustainable baboon programme is making progress. The City of Cape Town’s Council approved a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the City, SANParks, and CapeNature. This is to facilitate the sustainable management of the Chacma baboon population of the Cape Peninsula.

Draft Baboon Strategic Management Plan

The MoA, together with the draft Baboon Strategic Management Plan that is being finalised by the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT), proposes a coordinated approach involving all spheres of government.

A sustainable baboon programme

The MoA focuses on the City, SANParks, and CapeNature working together towards the sustainable management of the Chacma baboon population. The MoA also facilitates joint decision-making, through the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team, and will oversee the implementation of the Baboon Strategic Management Plan, once approved.

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Unique circumstances

The City’s responsibilities focus on local government functions like fences, wildlife-friendly municipal infrastructure and by-law enforcement. It includes engaging with and supporting local communities to implement solutions for their unique circumstances. The City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews says:

With Council’s approval, the City Manager now has the mandate to sign the MoA on the administration’s behalf. This is a very important step to ensure the City enters legally into an agreement with the other spheres of government. The MoA will come into effect once all of the parties – the City, SANParks, and CapeNature – have signed the document

The draft Baboon Strategic Management Plan (BSMP) is an operational plan. It needs commitment various City administrations such as “Spatial Planning and Environment, Urban Waste Management, Safety and Security, Energy, Water and Sanitation, Urban Mobility, Community Services and Health, Economic Growth, and Corporate Services”. Similarly, the BSMP needs the commitment of SANParks and CapeNature to fulfil a number of tasks.

Supporting baboons

The City is, obliged to source public comment on its intention to extend the Urban Baboon Programme contract for 18 months – until 31 December 2024. The current contract expires on June 30. Alderman Andrews adds:

The purpose of this extension is to allow for the transitioning from the current status quo where the City is providing all the resources to keep baboons wild and out of the urban environment, to a new era where the three spheres of government work together…By extending the current contract, including rangers to assist with keeping baboons out of the urban areas as far as possible, we give all involved more time to adapt and plan for the new dispensation as envisioned by the draft Baboon Strategic Management Plan

The call for comments on the intention to extend the current Urban Baboon Programme will be advertised on 5 May 2023.

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