Big BRU watching baboons

After more than 350 years of being threatened by habitat erosion, urban sprawl and agriculture, the Cape Peninsula’s baboons could soon be under less threat, thanks to the University of Cape Town’s Baboon Research Unit (BRU). A team of local and international scientists spent thousands of hours collecting data in the field and sourcing data from GPS-tracking collars. Over 25 000 GPS points were used to build digital maps of the baboons’ home range.

The maps have been accepted by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP) in the Western Cape and the City of Cape Town, meaning both the authorities responsible for land use and development in the Cape Peninsula now have up-to-date information about baboon requirements.

‘BRU has paved the way for the Cape Peninsula’s baboons to be elevated from a little known, much maligned population to one that may prove to be the benchmark for the successful management and conservation of primates in conflict with humans,’ said Onno Huyser, manager of the Table Mountain Fund, an associated trust of WWF South Africa.

PhD student Tali Hoffman added, ‘For too long we have assumed that baboons will be fine as long as there are mountains for them to hide in. The maps warn that failure to protect suitable low-lying habitats will result in elevated human-baboon conflict. They are an important step in preventing an escalation of conflict and recognising baboons as part of the Peninsula landscape.’