Save the CT2 troop

Help Baboon Matters help Baboons!

Baboon Matters and the CT2 troop thank you all for your support in this project!

As we have mentioned in the past few reports, we are no longer actively managing the CT2 troop although we do continue to keep a close eye on the troop and the management of the Cape peninsula baboons.  Please can we ask that you continue to support our hard work but that your direct all contributions to our main project:

Help Baboon Matters help Baboons – Project 51322 on GlobalGiving. 

By simply reassigning your donation, you will help us to streamline our reporting, commission and bank fees and you will continue to help baboons in need.

In the past month we have provided veterinary care for an orphaned juvenile baboon whom we later managed to integrate into a troop - a very successful initiative that did require some days in the field!  We responded to a case where a female baboon had been severly injured in a vehicular accident, but despite finding 3 nearby troops we could not locate the injured girl and suspect she died of her injuries.

We are supplying funds for critical post mortem checks for a male baboon who died of respiratory illness. We have been liaising with two different rural communities who experienced dispersing male baboons moving through their territory and have supported colleagues in NGO’s and on-going rescue and rehabilitation efforts – it has been very busy indeed!

Apart from the field work, we continue to advocate for better management options as well as the implementation of mitigation strategies and are considering how best to ensure our Court Order obtained in December 2024 is followed.  

In addition to the above, we are actively working towards the launch of our ambitious baboon population estimate which we hope will be launched in time for Spring.

Your ongoing support allows us to continue our good work for baboons and I hope that you will consider moving your hugely appreciated financial contributions to our main project -

Help Baboon Matters help Baboons – Project 51322 on GlobalGiving.

Thank you so much for supporting baboons – they need our help more than ever.

Thank you to everyone who has shown support for our work with the CT2 troop, it is so appreciated!

As the year kicks in we are contemplating the impact of the new Action Plan as presented by the Joint Task Team (City of Cape Town, Cape Nature and Table Mountain National Park).  The intention is that the JTT will be installing what is referred to as the Northern Fence, an electrified baboon proof fence designed to keep the baboons in the TMNP and out of the vineyards and urban areas.

The plan indicates that once the fence has been installed, the CT1 and CT2 troops will be pushed back to TMNP and effectively kept behind the fence. Of concern is that if the troops do not stay behind the fence and return to their current range, they might be culled...an extremely worrying thought!

The positives to this fence is that the baboons will be protected from the impacts of living in urban areas where the death rate is extremely high - the CT1 troop has reduced from a healthy troop of 43 down to just 18 baboons at the last count. The majority of these deaths were as a result of cars, dogs and shooting.

Although the vegetation has been subject to intense wild fire and changes when the pine plantations were removed we are hopefull that the regrowth and natural areas will be conducive to the troops and that they will settle safely back in the TMNP.

As well as the northern troops of the Cape peninsula baboons, we are keeping a careful eye on what is happening to the southern troops, two of which are designated to be removed into a purpose built sanctuary.  Obviously no-one would like to see free roaming animals in an enclosed area, however the high death rate in the urban areas is alarming and the terrain of the more craggy southern areas will make a baboon proof fence very costly.  All options are being explored but the reality is that the two troops will not be allowed to remain in Simons Town and Seaforth.

We are waiting for the final plans for the sanctuary and are told that it will exceed international regulations and offer the baboons respite from living in suburbia and associated high death rate.

Baboon Matters is entirely dependent on the generosity of the public and friends such as you to keep our hard work going and we thank you again for your support.  

We will be keeping you posted on the updates of the CT2 troops and all baboons and look forward to a positive and successful year ahead with your help.

With grateful thanks

The Baboon Matters Trustees