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The Cape Peninsula Baboon Research Unit is a collection of scientists focusing their research on baboons of the Cape Peninsula and surrounding areas. This research encompasses various aspects of baboon biology, including ecology, behaviour, genetics and evolution. Much of this research focuses on comparing the Cape Peninsula population to other baboon populations and studying the relationship between the Peninsula baboons and their human neighbours. Current research topics include ranging patterns, habitat use, effect of human habitation on baboon behaviour and ecology, parasite transmission between baboons and humans, population genetics, and male and female reproductive strategies.

The Cape Peninsula baboon population consists of 11 troops, distributed from the Tokai Forest in the southern suburbs of Cape Town down to the Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park. These troops vary in size from about 7 individuals to over 100. The baboon population is under increasing pressure from human habitation, which has decreased and fragmented the baboon habitat in the Peninsula, and conflict between humans and baboons is prevalent. Part of our goal as a research group is to contribute information on baboon biology that will aid in baboon conservation and management.

Research

The research of the BRU encompasses the following general areas:

• Behavioural Ecology — Feeding ecology and activity patterns.
• Spatial Ecology — Habitat use and ranging patterns.
• Social Behaviour — Grooming patterns and social relationships.
• Genetics — Population genetics and kinship.
• Physiology — Hormonal correlates of behaviour.

Baboon Management

Research conducted by the BRU informs management of the Cape Peninsula baboon population. Significant interaction with humans characterizes most of the baboon troops of the Cape Peninsula. The problems associated with this interaction led to the creation of the Baboon Management Team (BMT) in 1998. The BMT includes representatives from South African National Parks; Cape Nature; the City of Cape Town; various residents' associations in the southern suburbs of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula; and scientists from the Baboon Research Unit. Our role is to contribute information to the BMT that can aid in management decisions. The official liaison between the Baboon Management Team and the Baboon Research Unit is Esmé Beamish.

Philosophy

Through collaborative research, we aim to gain insight into baboon biology and behaviour while contributing positively to baboon management in the South African Cape Peninsula.

Baboons and Humans

Baboons are among the most behaviourally flexible, adaptable, and intelligent mammals and thus become very easily commensal with humans. If they are fed by humans or otherwise learn that they can obtain food from them, baboons will decrease their efforts to find natural foods and will become increasingly daring in their attempts to get an "easy meal." The end result is that baboons will turn aggressive, will be identified as "problem animals," and will be killed.

As of 1999, the Baboon Management Team (BMT) and SANParks have employed "baboon monitors" to prevent baboons from entering residential areas as well as to move baboons out of human-frequented areas before conflict occurs.

If you are a Cape Peninsula resident and would like to report a baboon-related problem outside of Table Mountain National Park (Tokai, Kommetjie, Fish Hoek, Scarborough, and Simon’s Town areas), please contact Jenni Trethowan, who manages the baboon monitors, at 021-782-2015. If you would like to report illegal activity involving baboons (e.g., feeding or injuring baboons), please contact Cape Nature at 021-957-5900 (or visit their website: www.capenature.org.za).

Copyright © 2007 Baboon Research Unit
Site designed and maintained by Julian Saunders
Updated: 15 September 2007