'My question to Mayor Hill-Lewis is: Are you considering killing whole troops of baboons?' - Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters

Clarence Ford speaks to Barbara Friedman, Primedia Plus Digital Content Editor and Jenni Trethowan from Baboon Matters.

[Skip to 08:15 for this story].

Baboon Matters is an advocacy, animal rights and awareness group determined to protect and conserve baboon troops on the Cape Peninsula. The areas of concern are the urban fringes where baboon troops live in close proximity to humans.

Due to financial constraints, the Constantia troop known as CT2 and Seaforth troop's management is under threat placing the baboons at risk.

In July, the group posted on Facebook about their concern when three baboons had gone missing before eventually posting that they had been killed.

RELATED: Baboon Matters calls for support after CoCT kills three healthy baboons

This incident and many like it raises the issue that there are no baboon mitigation measures such as baboon-proof bins or strategic fences - which 'is of grave concern' when it comes to the protection and conservation of these animals, says animal rights goups.

Many other issues around baboon management has also been raised such as: 

• There is not enough funding to pay for the baboon rangers in Constantia and Seaforth to continue protecting and monitoring these troops - and ensuring they stay out of the urban areas.
• NCC Environmental Services who has the contract to manage baboon troops, along with other animal organisations and citizens are desperately trying to raise R250,000 to ensure this can continue.

Trethowan from Baboon Matters with several animal rights organisations and concerned citizens have approached the Western Cape High Court to hold authorities accountable for failing to implement proposed baboon management strategies in the region. 

The hearing is set to begin tomorrow, Thursday, 28 November 2024.

Trethowan is calling on the City's Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis to answer this question: 'Are you considering killing whole troops of baboons?'

"We've been led to believe by meetings and minutes of meetings that it is possible that the City is considering statistically reducing the number of troops of baboons."

- Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters

"So my question to Mayor Hill-Lewis is: are you considering killing whole troops of baboons?"

- Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters

Trethowan adds:

"Jenni thinks you are [considering culling certain troops] but if I'm wrong, will Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis come online and tell Cape Town residents that I'm wrong and that they have no intention to kill troops of baboons because we are very concerned that the NCC is battling to meet their incredible budget to fundraise R250 000...

- Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters

"There are not going to be enough monitors on the ground for December and what is the City going to do? Because when we asked them, 'are you going to be killing troops of baboons?' Their answer to us was they have not reached a decision so they're obviously talking about it. So, if we're wrong, come on here and tell us we're wrong because we're very very worried."

- Jenni Trethowan, Baboon Matters

To show your support and stand with Baboon Matters and Beauty and Cruelty on their stance for ethical baboon management and protection, join the protest for ethical baboon management on Saturday, 30 November at Constantia Nek Circle from 9 am to 12 pm.

The protest aims 'to show unwavering support for sustainable, ethical management practices and to demand accountability and justice for these sentient beings.'

NCC Environmental Services say they are 'down to the wire.'

"Our fundraiser to keep our baboon rangers in your communities in December ends this Thursday!

Thanks to our generous donors so far, we have managed to keep 10 rangers employed for the month - what an incredible show of support for our team! But, we still have 10 more rangers’ jobs to save and only two days to do it. We know it’s a big goal – but let’s keep rallying for our rangers!"

- NCC, Facebook

To donate to keep ranger's boots on the ground this December go to NCC's Backabuddy page.

Watch this wonderful video about the dedicated rangers below: