[ad_1]
Kataza the baboon.
Facebook / Baboon Matters
- The city of Cape Town has asked the public not to feed a baboon that has moved to Tokai.
- The baboon, known as Kataza or SK11, is slowly integrating into the Tokai troop.
- However, the video footage shows humans feeding Kataza.
The city of Cape Town has requested that the Kataza baboon, who has moved to Tokai, be left alone, not harassed and under no circumstances be fed.
The baboon, also known as SK11, who was relocated from Kommetjie, spent most of his time with the Tokai troop over the weekend and even slept near the Tokai SANParks offices, said the City Mayor’s committee member. of the Cape for spatial planning and the environment, Marian Nieuwoudt.
READ | Cape Town residents outraged by the disappearance of the baboon Kataza
The baboon has a collar and is being monitored from afar according to accepted protocols, Nieuwoudt added.
According to the latest update, SK11 is in Tokai, behaving like an adult male baboon dispersing and appears to be slowly integrating into the Tokai troop.
On September 22, SK11 was examined by a veterinarian and behavioral ecologist specializing in primates, who reported that it was in good condition and had a glossy, untangled coat. In the mornings, he usually follows the Tokai troop to where they feed, staying on the sidelines, while observing the troop and making friendly signs, such as licking his lips and throwing his ears back.
After a while, curious young baboons approach him with similar greetings and lip smacking. This is the normal behavior of a male baboon joining a troop. Getting accepted can take weeks to months, and it’s best to leave SK11 alone and not be followed by humans, Nieuwoudt said.
Residents of Kommetjie have expressed their relief to hear that a local baboon, SK11 or Kataza, as they are affectionately known, has had his life saved.
– News24 (@ News24) August 15, 2020
Nieuwoudt said that SK11 needs to interact with other baboons in its own time. She said it was important because the current service provider, HWS, was trying to keep it out of the urban area so that it would be safe and not raid.
However, he said that the baboon was being harassed by interfering people.
Over the weekend, video footage showed people feeding him.
Don’t feed the baboon
“Feeding a wild animal is not only illegal, but harmful, as human-derived food is unhealthy for baboons and will result in increased assault behavior. As such, we have asked CapeNature to examine the images. video for possible legal action, “Nieuwoudt said.
“The City of Cape Town strongly requests that SK11 be left alone, not harassed and under no circumstances fed.”
Residents in the vicinity of Tokai Park are advised to follow the guidelines below, if SK11 enters their property:
- close all doors and lock all windows;
- save all food sources;
- identify the baboon’s escape route and make sure its path is clear;
- back slowly if the baboon is close to you;
- keep pets out of the way; Y
- Contact the Baboon hotline at 071 588 6540.
The Urban Baboon program aims to:
- keeping baboons out of urban areas to reduce human-baboon conflict;
- stop all activities that previously put people in close contact with baboons;
- support the monitoring and enforcement of all national, provincial and local laws related to the protection of wild animals; Y
- consult regularly with baboon experts.
Baboon population increase
The Cape Town Baboon Program has seen an 80% increase in the Cape Peninsula baboon population, excluding troops within Cape Point National Park, from 2006 to date, Nieuwoudt said.
“This affirms the success of a program that is being replicated by countries around the world. The number of baboons has increased from 248 in 2006 to 445 today.
“This is an increase of 197 baboons in 14 years and equates to six new troops with an average of 30 baboons living alongside our suburbs. The increase in the baboon population affirms the City’s focus on resource allocation to prevent them from baboons enter urban areas as much as possible. The city’s Urban Baboon program is internationally recognized and countries like the UK and Australia are replicating the program’s methodology, “he added.
Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up to receive one of 33 News24 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. There are special newsletters available to subscribers.
[ad_2]
