CAPE TOWN-A safety plan concerning the future of five baboon tribes has been finalised, the City of Cape Town confirmed.
This plan includes a sanctuary, fencing as well as a waste strategy carried by Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team (CPBMJTT).
Earlier this year, it was announced that the CPBMJTT, consisting of representatives from South African National Parks (SANParks), CapeNature, and the City will remove five Cape Peninsula splinter troops after noting that the primates have “increased to the extent that it was exhausting their resources”.
The action plan includes a sanctuary, fencing, waste strategy and details the practical implementation of the Cape Peninsula Baboon Strategic Management Plan.
The plan has now been signed and approved by SANParks, CapeNature, and the City.
Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Action Plan: Five key components
Sanctuary creation – Purpose-built baboon sanctuaries on Plateau Road.
Northern fencing – Baboon-proof barrier from Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek.
Waste management strategy – Baboon-proof bins and waste protocols.
Urban wildlife by-law – New legislation with zero tolerance approach.
By-law enforcement – Hard boundaries and strict population control.
Troop relocations timeline
Seaforth troop → Sanctuary by February 2026
Waterfall troop → Sanctuary by September 2026
CT1 & CT2 troops → Mountain side by May/June 2026
Males will be vasectomised; healthy animals relocated
Infrastructure development
Northern fence completed by July 2026 (Zwaanswyk to Constantia Nek).
Baboon-proof bins rolled out in high-impact areas by May 2026.
Sanctuary trial starts with 1,5-hectare enclosure on private land. Underground power cables to reduce electrocutions.
Population management
Northern troops: Maximum 250 baboons (currently 234)
Southern troops: Maximum 175 baboons (currently 164)
Humane euthanasia if population exceeds limits for 6+ months
No new troops allowed in transformed areas
The action plan will be regularly reviewed to ensure the actions, assessments, and outcomes are in line with regulatory requirements, strategic direction, emerging trends, and new knowledge. The next formal review will take place in 2030. The action plan is available here: https://baboons.org.za/final-action-plan-2025/
You must be logged in to post a comment.