COPIED FROM BABOON MATTERS FB page

URGENT - NO MONITORS FOR CT2 TROOP.

NOT THE GOOD NEWS WE ASKED YOU TO HOLD THUMBS FOR......

For the past 12 months Baboon Matters Trust has been working collaboratively with Baboon Watch -WC and Tokai Baboon Action Group to provide field staff to minimise baboon interactions in the Constantia Nek, Rhodes Drive and Southern Cross Drive areas.  
This action was necessary as the City of Cape Town unilaterally made the decision to withdraw its contracted rangers from the CT2 troop in April 2022 and had left the troop to wander through the area of their own accord, in the process suffering injuries and death at the hands of (a few) angry and frustrated residents some of whom were aggrieved at damage caused to property.  

Although the CT2 troop had moved into the Constantia Nek region in 2020, the troop have always been part of the CoCT managed baboon troops, so it is not clear why the rangers, who form part of the tendered agreement, were withdrawn.

In December 2022 Baboon Matters provided experienced monitors to keep the troop in Cecelia Forest thus minimising the time spent in urban areas. In instances when the troop does manage to get past the monitors, the teams have been successful at redirecting the troop and getting them out of residential areas within 20 – 30 mins, in so doing reducing potential for conflict and damage. 

The entire costs of the project have been supported by Baboon Matters, Baboon Watch-WC and donations from the general public.

Due to the precarious nature of fundraising and in order to proactively have a plan in place for the long, hot summer months ahead, Baboon Matters escalated on-going communications with the CoCT asking for their immediate plans for the unmanaged troops of CT2 and Seaforth, this is especially urgent  in view of the busy holiday season in coming weeks and illustrated by the fact that in recent weeks our teams have redirected the troop from Kirstenbosch Gardens and have actively strategized to prevent the troop returning to the gardens at this busy time of year; without the teams in place it is likely the baboons will be joining the sunset concerts and picnics in the gardens

In response to my escalated concerns, on the 24 November 2023 the below email was received:

Dear Ms Trethowan
 
Thank you for your email.
 
The CPBMJTT notes your concerns.
 
Regarding the Seaforth and CT2 troops, there are processes in place to guide interventions as/when needed. 
 
Unfortunately, the CPBMJTT cannot provide any funding as requested.
Best,
CPBMJTT

I have continued with the communication to establish what the “processes” might be, but have not received clarity from the CPBMJTT with regard to their plans, nor who the public should communicate with – other than an email address of the CPBMJTT.

This week I met with our small team and I was deeply unhappy to have to tell them that despite their exceptionally hard work and very successful efforts over the year and despite our diligent attempts to secure funding, we will have to stop work on Friday 1 December – exactly a year after we started.

The men are desperately worried about their future and employment, and their dejected faces were heart-breaking but their immediate response to me was to ask how they can keep the baboons safe?

The poor decision making with the CPBMJTT has led to this dreadful state and ramifications of their inability to produce an effective plan will be felt not only by this exemplary group of men, the baboons (who may be hurt or injured) but also holiday makers at Kirstenbosch, businesses and residential homes.

We are working towards finding solutions, balancing the needs and obligation for annual leave, (especially needed after the long hours the teams work daily), within the short time frame before the contract ends due to lack of funding. 

We have worked proactively and diligently and operate with integrity and efficacY, we look after our teams as well as overall project considerations.  It is not financially viable to have one man on duty alone nor would one person be effective to block the troop and given the aggressive nature of certain Constantia residents it would not be fair for me to leave one monitor to deal with those individuals.  

We have viewed all options and combinations of ideas, and after endless input and discussion I confirm:

• There will be no monitors working for the CT2 troop on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 December 2023.
• There will be a protest on Saturday 2 December at the Constantia Nek and we hope you will join us.

In the event that, the City of Cape Town, the Constantia Residents and Ratepayers Association or any private donors contribute to keeping the monitors employed until the end of February 2024; our teams will get back to work on Monday 3 December 2023.

Liability for the lack of baboon management for the CT2 troop rests with the CoCT’s Biodiversity section and the Cape Peninsula Baboon Management Joint Task Team who are represented by the organisations listed below.  

Please direct all queries and concerns to:

Mayor Hill - Lewis mayor.mayor@capetown.gov.za
Eddie Andrews - eddie.andrews@capetown.gov.za
James Styan        james.styan@capetown.gov.za
Lorraine Gerrans  lorraine.gerrans@capetown.gov.za
Dr Omar (Cape Nature) romar@capenature.co.za
Minister Creecy via  BMbuli@environment.gov.za
Minister Bredell   Anton.bredell@westerncape.gov.za
Megan Taplin TMNP  megan.taplin@sanparks.org
Sanparks  Johan Taljaard  johan.taljaard@sanparks.org
Lauren Clayton lauren.clayton@sanparks.org