South Africa is in the midst of a Baboon War. Baboons have been living in this area for over one million years and humans are now encroaching on their land by building homes and developments. As a result, these primates have become angry and they’ve started to respond with carjackings, muggings, and home invasions!
It’s like something out of Planet of the Apes! Baboons that live in South Africa mostly inhabit areas around Table Mountain National Park near Cape Town. They roam free all throughout the city looking for food or just exploring the place; but when people start taking away their habitats by constructing residential buildings, it becomes dangerous both for them as well as us human beings who share space with them.
In a report from 2019 showed that some baboons were even stealing cars! In addition to this, baboon troops often break into houses where they steal food items such as fruits and vegetables or sometimes even grab cash if they find it lying around. Baboons can be very aggressive during encounters with humans which only adds to danger levels that come with having these primates living right next door to our homes. In order to protect both ourselves as well as our primates.
Tim has recently travelled to Cape Town in South Africa to cover this Baboon War. Watch his report here as he talks about the Baboon Wars and how we can find a peaceful solution that helps both humans and baboons live together harmoniously!
More about the Chacma Baboon
The chacma baboon (Papio ursinus), commonly referred to as the Cape Baboon, is a species of Old World monkey that can be found in southern Africa. This baboon is amongst the largest of all its kind, growing to up to half a meter tall and weighing as much as 30 kilograms or more.
These baboons are highly social creatures, with a complex hierarchy and a variety of behaviors, including collective foraging and the adoption of young by females. Baboon sightings can be seen in South Africa’s Kruger National Park or even in suburban backyards throughout the region – providing an eerie reminder of Hollywood’s Planet of the Apes movies.
Cape Point Full Day Tour & Cape Of Good Hope Road Trip
