Vervet Monkeys and Rabies

16, March. 2018.

When you Encounter Baboons...

Baboons in Africa - Misunderstanding their Language

A Researcher working in Uganda contacted me some time ago to ask if I could help her understand what was happening to the villagers in her area; a group of the women were being "sexually harassed" by a troop of baboons. These "attacks" occurred when the women headed towards the river to do their daily clothes washing.

Obstacles to the Rehabilitation of Baboons and Monkeys

OBSTACLES TO THE REHABILITATION OF VERVET MONKEYS AND CHACMA BABOONS BACK INTO THE WILD:

- Popular misconceptions about the baboon and monkey that are perpetuated by inadequate and contradictory legislation.

We Oppose the Keeping of Monkeys as Pets - Read this to Find Out Why.

Are You Sure You Want a Monkey?
Monkey Matters Magazine

Animated, intelligent, eerily "human," monkeys are among the most fascinating animals on our planet. That's why monkeys would seem to make delightful pets. But, unlike dogs or cats, primates (all monkeys and apes) have not evolved over thousands of years to live compatibly with humans.

Baboon - proof vegetable garden.

Baboon/monkey proof vegetable garden at the new DPG:

"Single" Males - the vulnerable steps towards adulthood.

Kennedy - one of our sub-adult orphans - left his troop two months ago to find a new one. Thankfully, he'd moved off in the direction of the gorge which is a wild area uninhabited by humans. Gun toting residents who illegally shoot primates are common in this area according to local eye witnesses and we didn't want Kennedy to head off towards human danger. He arrived back home today to be healed after being wounded in a male on male fight.

Long Term and Short Term Solutions for CO-EXISTING with Wild Primates

This vegetable garden has been electrically fenced using solar power. The electric pylon on this property (The Crags, WC.) has been cut off due the amount of wildlife that was killed on it (primates, birds, caracal etc.).

Electric fencing or employing baboon monitors are two highly effective long term deterrents for farmers to use.  Alternative Feeding Sites are successful too when carried out in the correct manner whereby the primates do not associate the feeding station with humans and the food is distributed in a manner which does not encourage population growth and increased inter-group stress. (Contact us for more info on this at: primates.south.africa@gmail.com)

Sadly, the amount of farmers who consider electric fencing to be "too expensive" - those who do not include this in their budget for making a profit while exploiting the environment, do not value the environment, biodiversity and the future enough to pay the relatively small amount required for an electric fence.

Such self interest only serves to degrade the environment further. Ironically, many of these farmers also argue that shooting primates  is their most used method for deterring them from crops.

Shooting has never stopped primates from raiding, making this so called solution a highly irrational one.

All that shooting achieves is further destruction of the environment.

 DETERRING BABOONS FROM YOUR PROPERTY - LINK



DETERRING PRIMATES WITH A GORILLA SUIT - BELOW:

SNARES - WESTERN CAPE, GARDEN ROUTE.

Snares around poverty stricken areas that border on wild habitats in South Africa are on the increase. While some consider primates to be bushmeat, for others eating wild primate meat has become a trend: snaring does not discriminate and the poacher will eat any animal found in his/her trap. We ask all landowners and tenants living in these conditions to please practice regular anti-poaching patrols on your land and surrounding areas to confront the problem.

Educating the poachers is necessary too, as is taking the consequences of poverty into consideration.

The video below depicts Joseph's story. He is a young male baboon who was caught in a snare close by. Once again I do want to thank Dr Rolf Lamprecht of Knysna for helping dart the baboon and take the snare off free of charge.

November 2011 - Another snare victim: this female baboon was helped by the DPG and is now healthy, free and back with her family.

BABOONS THAT RAID HUMAN PROPERTIES:

ABOUT BABOONS THAT RAID HUMAN PROPERTIES

To understand why baboons enter human properties and raid, it is necessary to understand their behaviour. Firstly, this species is highly adaptive – they adapt to their environment accordingly. This means that when humans encroach on baboon territory to build houses, roads and erect electric pylons, the baboons that have been there for a very long time are forced to adapt to the changes. They were there first – they have been around for hundreds of years more than humans have. It is a common mistake to assume baboons came “down from the mountains” to “steal” from human properties; all too often residents complain: “they must go back to the mountain where they belong”.

Research has illustrated that baboons tend to sleep in high areas but forage in low ones where food sources are more nutritional and as humans tend to live in the low areas, we find ourselves sharing a territory with baboons.

It is natural behaviour for baboons to adapt to their changing environment even when that environment is a human one forced on them.

Why do baboons enter human properties?

The short answer is they are attracted onto human properties that have been erected in their territories because these are age old baboon foraging paths natural food sources have been replaced with tasty, special food they can't get anywhere else. Baboons will be attracted to exotic fruit trees, vegetable gardens, compost heaps, garbage,, horse/cow feed.... and will also be tempted to enter houses which display human foods.

How do I stop them from entering my property?

By removing or adapting the attraction that is bringing them there. See our educational material on how to do this.

Does shooting a troublesome baboon stop them from raiding?

No. This has never worked. The problem continues.

Why does this not stop them from raiding?

Usually it is the adult males that get shot and often it is the alpha male. Because this male has not been alone in making the decision but has acted on behalf of the whole troop, you would be shooting him simply for playing the role which is expected of him – that being to scout out a human property to check if there is available food for the WHOLE troop. When an alpha male gets shot, a new male will take his place and be expected by the troop to play the same role. If the troop chooses to raid, the new male will follow their lead and will scout out human properties to check on food sources. (See the video below).

The Rogue Males:

Generally residents shoot a baboon they have been led to believe is a 'rogue”. The concept of a rogue baboon is based on misconceptions about baboon behaviour that have been passed down through the centuries. Residents may see one or two males on their properties on a regular bases and are likely to assume these are “rogue males” who have no troop. This is rarely the case.

1. Male baboons leave their birth troops for the first time during puberty to join a new group. During this stage they are extremely vulnerable and have no grooming partners or troop leaders to protect and guide them. As a result they may be drawn to raiding human homes. The process of joining a new troop can take a few months, so if residents are patient, the baboon will move on in time.

2. Residents are also likely to be fooled into thinking that they have one or two rogue male baboons on their property when a troop decides to enter a human area to raid. See the video below). In this case, the top two males may go into the human area to check on food sources for the whole troop. Residents seeing only one or two males tend to assume these are single males without a group. While these males check on the area, the troop is usually hidden from human view. It is a misconception to assume these two males are leading the troop top raid. They are merely their job – playing the role that is expected from the whole group. To remove them from the troop merely causes enormous disruption to the group. New males will move in, relationships will be turbulent and the resulting stress will effect all related systems.

More misconceptions about troublesome raiders:

Wild Primates – vervet monkeys and baboons eat according to a strict hierarchy – those at the top of the hierarchy get first access to favourite foods. When you have a fruit tree in season on your property and a baboon or monkey troop arrives to eat, the top members of the hierarchy will eat the fruit while those on the lower end will be left to wait. It is all too easy to assume the top members are trouble makers when you see them eating your fruit tree.

While the top hierarchy may be eating your fruit tree, the lower members may go off separately to find food elsewhere where the others can't see them.

In Nature's Valley, a baboon was allegedly stuck in a house for 6 hours and then shot (illegally as apparently occurs annually). The probably explanation for this baboon choosing to stay inside was not merely that there were hostile people waiting outside for him but also higher ranking baboons from his troop that would punish him for entering a favourite food spot.

BABOONS DO LEAVE THEIR TROOPS - TEMPORARILY - TO SEEK FOOD.

What happens when you shoot a whole troop:

When you shoot a whole troop, you leave a vacuum for a new troop to move into that territory. If residents continue to attract baboons and monkeys with exotic foods or human junk food, the new troop will eventually start to raid these too.

Giving Your Power Away:

Feeding by hand causes enormous problems as it shows the primates that you are being submissive. In a wild primate troop, one only gives up your food to those lower than you on the hierarchy – feeding these animals by hand, gives the message that you are giving away your power. This results in them expecting food from you in the future. Wild primates do not feed each other. Not even mothers give their infants food other than the milk they have to offer.

VIDEO BELOW SHOWS HOW A BABOON TROOP IN NATURE'S VALLEY PLANS ON ENTERING TO FIND FOOD:

Are Baboons Predators?

One of the common misconceptions about baboons is that they are far more dangerous than they are in practice. One reason is that people believe them to be predators who prey on other animals. We have found along the Garden Route that baboons will choose to eat vegetable matter over any flesh if it is available which in this part of the world, it definitely is.

In areas where baboons have adapted to eating meat it is because they have been pressurised by their environment – for example, a baboon may kill a baby gazelle in areas where vegetable food sources are scarce because it is their natural behaviour to adapt to the food source that is available there. It is therefore incorrect to assume that this largely vegetarian species is a predator. They certainly do not eat humans and usually have no reason to attack them unless severely provoked/cornered. In areas where they are forced to desperately compete with people for food, and when humans have lost their power by feeding the baboons by hand, a baboon may become more aggressive than normal to obtain food (for example in the Cape Peninsula). Usually this is merely a threat without any intent to physically harm. Please read our information about how to deal with these situations in a way that brings no harm to yourself or the baboon.

PET MONKEYS - WHAT TO DO.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THE POSITION OF NURTURING AN ORPHANED BABOON OR MONKEY:

For some who find themselves with the enormous responsibility of nurturing an orphaned primate, the decision to pass the baby on to a rehabilitation centre is an easy one. But for others, once the inevitable child/parent bond has taken grip, it is hard to see the situation objectively and to do what is best for the – long term - interests of the monkey or baboon.

Understandably, once one feels the instinctual protective drive that occurs when surrogate mothering a baby primate, to pass the baby onto a stranger at a rehabilitation centre can be a difficult step to take. 

You'd like to be the one in control of the destiny of the little primate you have come to love. 

You'd like to see for yourself that the primate is happy and cared for and you want to be there to ensure this all happens.

It is at this point that you need to try and look at the situation from a distance. 

Right now, you may be able to offer the baby all the nurturing s/he needs. But what about the future?  
 

Are you aware that every choice you make will impact permanently on this monkey or baboons' life in some or other way. Primates learn through experience and observation and any choice you make on behalf of the orphan in your care will certainly stay - in some way - for a lifetime.

Ask yourself if you are able to give the primate 24 hours a day care and whether this will be the case well into the future – remember baboons live for about 40 years and monkeys for about 25 years.

Ask yourself if you – as a human – are truly able to give a wild primate all that s/he needs in terms of social interaction. Remember... these are highly social animals who live in close-knit complex groups and require a strong social system with a group rather than one individual on a long term basis.

Ask yourself if you are able to accept being severely bitten and whether you mind having your home defecated in daily? These are normal behaviours when monkeys learn to regard humans as part of their family group.

The longer you keep a monkey or baboon with humans, the harder it is to integrate them with their own kind and the less chance there will be of the animal having a fulfilling existence with other monkeys.

It is not possible for any human to give to a monkey or baboon all that they they need, especially once they pass the age of sexual maturity whereby nurturing the monkey as a surrogate child is no longer appropriate no matter how you look at it.

THE HAZARDS for HUMAN CARETAKERS:

Biting is an integral aspect of monkey language. When one nurtures a baby monkey/baboon for too long, they learn to communicate with humans in much the same way they would do to other monkeys and biting is inevitable. If the monkey in your care does not bite you ,s/he will certainly bite other humans connected to you. This is because these animals are very territorial and biting others that are not part of their immediate family group is perfectly normal in monkey language. Once “pet”monkeys begin to bite their human caretakers, they are usually relocated to a rehabilitation centre where it is often too late to rehabilitate them back into the wild.

The other aspect about monkeys that people have difficulty living with are their toilet habits. Living with a monkey who defecates all over your home becomes intolerable for most people over time.

Keeping monkeys or baboons is illegal. Once you have taken on this task, you will always be worried that the “pet” in your care could be confiscated – and perhaps euthanased – by the authorities.

However cute and lovable a baby primate can be, it is important to understand that this is a short term situation. Consider the future of the orphan with a selfless love that is able to do what is best for the primate in the long run.

Contact us for information about a reputable primate rescue centre in your area.

LIVING WITH BABOONS - FOR RESIDENTS.

Baboon or Monkey Proofing your Home

It's not that I can easily live with an aesthetically, unappealling home. I'm not sure any artist can. But when it comes to the necessity of sharing a territory with wild animals as many of us do, along with the choice, comes tolerance and compromise. If we don't excercise those two options and choose instead to shoot, we undoubtedly contribute to an escalating, damaged environment - one we humans are entirely dependant on for survival, in spite of the level of denial we appear to be in.

 HOW TO LIVE WITH BABOONS AND MONKEYS - MORE INFO.

These pictures are taken at home where we have resorted to cheap ways of baboon and monkey proofing the home we live in. We have made screens and "intruder boundaries" out of cheap, strong wire or simple insect screening which works for monkeys. For those needing to do something similar in a more artistic manner, there are countless artists who would design beautiful intruder barriers (burglar bars) that will make you wonder why you ever resisted this option in the first place. Just contact me and I will put you in touch with an artist you need.

The wild baboon troop come by regularly and the monkeys as you probably know by now, are orphaned and injured individuals going through rehab.

With these simple, cheap methods of keeping the non-human primates amongst us out, our lives are free of raids, damaged possessions and that indefinable frustrating feeling of feeling helpless in the face of lost possessions.

I find it easy to live with both baboons and monkeys simply because our home is baboon/monkey/human proofed.

And this is why whenever I meet a financially, unchallenged individual who justifies their killing of our indigenous primates, by saying it costs too much in money or effort, I despair at the nature of humans - the unwillingness to look at life with fresh eyes and embrace new ideas that may help our dying environment.

The closer I am led into the intimate lives of vervets and baboons and other non-human animals, the more I understand that it is humans who need rehabilitation - who need to adapt their lives to live with others, so that the path that damages the environment we share is turned around for the sake of us all.

It is far more peaceful to live in harmony once one makes the decision to compromise and add a few changes to one's home. Try it before you knock it - you'll be contributing to a better world. And you'll wonder why you put yourself through all the uneccessary frustration of living in a way that brings hostility.

Karin.














The bars in these photos are seven cms x seven cms and are effective in keeping vervet monkeys out.

MISCONCEPTIONS – A THREAT TO OUR PRIMATES.

One of the most pervasive threats facing wild primates are the misconceptions that have been handed down through the centuries. Take the example of baboons being thought to be far more dangerous than they are. Baboons are not predators, do not generally kill other animals for food (1.*Baboons on the Cape Peninsula by Ruth Kansky), and there is allegedly only one account of a human dying from a baboon attack. While they have the weapons to inflict damage on others, these weapons are used to intimidate non-violently more often than not.

Generally baboons practice enormous restraint. The sight of a large adult male displaying, running fast, hair on end, breaking branches and wa-hooing is a formidable scene, sending shivers of fear through the bravest of us. This display is intended to intimidate and is used to attain a goal usually from others within the troop. It is rare for violence to be involved. Baboons do not go out of their way to attack dogs and will generally tolerate chasing dogs that do not pose a threat to the group, even playing with them. But when you are the “owner” of a much loved dog, the sight of a big baboon reacting by chasing the dog away, usually evokes a magnified fear that the dog will be hurt. Large dogs seriously intent on hurting baboons may be attacked and packing dogs will be treated as a serious threat, but on the whole, baboons practice tolerance, not going further than a mere threat designed to warn the dog not to get too close.

I was reminded of the tremendous restraint practiced by baboons recently when a wild troop came close to a territory long inhabited by a vervet monkey group. It’s commonly believed that when monkeys and baboons are forced to compete over resources, the monkeys will give way.

While young baboons and monkeys may play together, when resources are truly low and these two species are forced to compete, monkeys have allegedly sometimes been killed. In this case the alpha male vervet threatened the alpha male baboon who moved off slowly then sidled up to a few monkeys close by and threatened them instead. This is common primate language: “if I can’t go after you, I’ll go after someone close to you”. It is akin to blackmail.

But the surprising aspect of this redirected threat is it showed that the baboon was accepting a submissive position in relation to the alpha vervet – he was accepting that the vervets had first access to the territory and food it contained. The motive when translated states; “I am going to frighten you into handing over your food”. We forget to notice the restraint practiced by baboons, assuming instead that an intimidating threat will likely lead to harm. In this case, while the baboon could easily have grabbed any of these monkeys and caused serious damage, he chose not to. He was pushing his luck, trying to get food, as all opportunistic primates tend to do. But he gave way, moved off and left the vervets to eat in peace.

While we need to be vigilant about not cornering or threatening a baboon that has entered a home, by using passive body language and ensuring there is an escape route, we also need to remember not to panic and to understand that unless severely threatened, it is highly unlikely a baboon has reason to attack.

*1. Baboons are highly adaptive and some troops in certain areas are known to kill young antelopes. This is an adaptation.

Snared Baboon - Trapped, Healed and Released. November 09

Watching this four year old male baboon with his troop of forty plus companions had been heart breaking. The snare tightly wrapped around his neck limited his movement and he held onto a half a metre piece of wire with one hand while walking on three limbs.

How was I going to trap him? One baboon in a group of forty.

At first, Rolf Lamprecht, a vet based in Knysna, came out to see if he could dart him but due to the troop being particularly persecuted, it was impossible to get close enough. I had to make another plan.

It took four days of intense baboon psychology to trap him. John had performed a miracle by building a strong trap when we could not locate one elsewhere. And it certainly seemed as if the chances of us saving him were too slim to hope.

But it worked. Once trapped, Rolf came out to dart and treat him. He was then released. His wounds are healing beautifully.

SNARES AND THE HORRIFIC CONSEQUENCES.

September 2008: Jack, Nakedi, Zambi and Gandhi aka Mr No Hands.

In spite of low predator populations, our baboons and monkeys are run over by cars, killed by dogs, caught in snares, poisoned, caught for biomedical research laboratories, the pet industry and muthi (traditional medicine), electrocuted on pylons, and shot or injured by pellet guns.

For over a year, the Animal Welfare in Knysna has been receiving reports of single monkeys without limbs who have been forced to rely on the kindness of certain humans for protection and food. These monkeys have all been snared. Some have died from their wounds.

Gandhi - an adult male - was first seen surviving with his troop but then had to resort to living alone making his destiny exceptionally precarious as a single monkey - especially one without hands - is vulnerable to predators.
Some residents were kind enough to accept and tolerate his reliance on them, allowing him access onto human properties for some time. But recently a few began to threaten to shoot him , forcing us to find a way to save his life.

When he arrived here, the other monkeys greeted him enthusiastically. Because he has a particularly passive gentle nature, I have called him Gandhi. This calm, wise male is unlikely to have presented a threat to anyone. Unfortunately the myths that exist about these primates remain one of their biggest threats to survival. With more tolerance and understanding it is possible to co-exist harmoniously. These monkeys increasingly face the difficulty of living next to ongoing development that encroached on their habitat and are faced daily with the risk of being electrocuted, snared, run over, killed by dogs, shot or poisoned.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE ANIMAL WELFARE IN KNYSNA for all the work they do to help our wildlife as well as cope with the numerous domestic animals that rely on them to survive.

Gandhi in August 2007:

This photo was sent to me last year after Gandhi had been seen in the Knysna area. Here he clearly has adapted - during the initial stages of his recovery - to using the power lines to make his way across the foliage.


The video clip shows his arrival where all the monkeys first greeted, then attempted to groom him through the wire of the box he had been transported in on the back of the van.

VIDEO CLIP: SHOTS AND SNARES IN THE CRAGS, W.C. 2008.

PRIMATE FRIENDLY VEGETABLES AND FRUIT.

FOR ALL THOSE WHO SUPPORT PRIMATE FRIENDLY PRODUCE, THE ORGANIC FARM BELOW OFFERS NON-ANIMAL FOODS THAT ARE TOTALLY FREE FROM CRUELTY.

THEY DESERVE ALL THE SUPPORT THEY CAN GET AND OFFER HOPE FOR THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICAN PRIMATES.

IF ANY OF YOU KNOW OF OTHER ANIMAL FRIENDLY PRODUCTS, PLEASE PASS ON THEIR DETAILS TO ME. WE HAVE A GROWING NUMBER OF PEOPLE WANTING TO FIND FOODS THAT DO NOT BRING ABOUT THE TERRIBLE SUFFERING AND DEATH OF SO CALLED "PROBLEM ANIMALS".

TO SUPPORT THIS ORGANIC FARM, VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT A WONDERFUL JOB THEY ARE DOING!

Hello good people

My wife and myself are certified organic farmers - http://www.jacklinorganic.co.za

We produce various products that appeal to our local troupe of Vervet monkeys here in Badplaas.

We have partly managed our monkey challenge by planting maize in our pumpkin and butternut crops, which is effective as long as the maize yield is good enough. They always choose maize over squash and will leave the squash alone until the maize is finished. Unfortunately, we have no affordable way to keep them off our mango trees (around 30) so we did not produce organic dried mango this year, but the monkeys ate well and we simply accepted it with wry smiles.

As we are also in the business of removing wattle to make compost, we are slowly causing them habitat loss. Their indigenous habitat has long ago been destroyed by the earlier settlers in this valley. We fear they will now have to sleep away from our farm to where they are in danger of being shot or poisoned. This is an unintended consequence, as we feel great compassion for the plight of the wildlife around us.
We need to know if there is any relocation program for these monkeys, as we cannot really afford to accommodate them and allow the troupe to grow.

Please advise

Regards

Brendan Jacklin

Dear Brendan,

I am delighted to hear about your primate friendly organic produce. Where I live in The Crags WC, I honestly can say I don’t know of any farm around here that I can trust to buy our veggies and fruit from.
Relocating monkey troops is a very risky and expensive exercise. It takes a long time for monkeys to adapt to a new territory to ascertain which food sources are in season and when, and to understand their new wild neighbors, whether they be those they have a symbiotic relationship with or those they have reason to fear; predators. Hence few rehab centres have the resources to relocate.
In KZN, much research has gone into the concept of feeding stations. When a feeding station simply replaces the unnatural food sources the vervets are already getting, it does not ensure an increase in birth rate. I have attached information from Primates Africa which is a nation wide monkey organization, in the hope it will help.

All the best,
Karin Saks.

THE DAMAGE CAUSED TO TROOP STRUCTURES BY HUMANS.

...

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU COME ACROSS WILD VERVET MONKEYS OR CHACMA BABOONS WHILE ON FOOT...

Most of us know not to stare at a wild monkey or baboon because it is considered to be threatening to them. Those who have had a relationship with specific individuals in the wild will know that in time, one is able to look into the eyes of the non-human primate as they do into yours, simply because you are no longer considered a stranger.

When you come across wild monkeys or baboons while out walking, it is important to turn your eyes downwards, remain calm and walk slowly. Don't walk towards them or face them.

If you look at this video clip you will see me purposefully walking past a wild male baboon to illustrate the respect the baboons here have for us. The baboon turns away, showing respect for my personal space in the same manner that a lower ranking individual in a troop will do when a higher ranking individual walks towards the other.

Most wild baboons know humans as individuals and do not generalise about people.
However, there are some baboons in other areas who have learnt to generalise about people and have been forced into a number of situations to try and get food where the baboons have learnt how scared people get when they intimidate them. They know that all it takes to get food is to frighten someone enough and the food is accessible. Their intention is not to harm the person but to get the food and with a bit of common sense the situation is easily divereted.

In these cases the baboon appears very menacing to the average person. Try not to panic, back away and if you are scared, drop the food that the baboon wants. If a baboon snatches your bag (this only occurs in certain places where baboons generalise about humans), drop it. Once the baboon has realised there is no food in your bag, he will leave it and you can retrieve it.

Remember that their motive is to get food not to hurt you! This will help you remain calm and use passive body language as described here.

It is most important to never frighten the babies by looking at them or getting close to them when you come across wild troops while on foot.

THE RAID - OCT 2ND. 2008.

The frustration of residents was palpable. Someone had a long stick, another was screaming "voetsak" - over and over. Both primate species seemed uncommonly anxious.

When verbally attacked, the troop melted into the bush, then as people seemed to move away, just as swiftly arrived back on the scene. I watched countless hotdogs and buns make their way off into the forest, clutched strongly by small black hands while perceptive eyes darted around looking for any obstacle. Every black plastic bag had been shredded, every container dissected. Hadn't anyone from the muncipality considered how much extra work this would bring them? Had they thought of ways to help how this affected both the people and the wild baboons? Age old misconceptions about the nature of baboons has seen them shot - again and again - in the past, but this method of "control" has never worked to deter them for long. Recent baboon management programs have shown success using non-lethal methods like baboon monitors, with the Cape Peninsula illustrating much research on this area.

Implementing a good waste management system is believed to bring a great reduction in the amount of raids done.

Having watched one monkey troop and one baboon troop rely regularly on the Nature's Valley dump - as shown in this video, there is no question that this needs to be addressed by firstly implementing a workable waste management program. I looked back at the baboons; those lower down on the hierarchy monopolised the junk food and had by now displaced the top individuals. Screams about who had taken hold of who's food echoed loudly. It all looked so dramatic.

But from where we sat, this stressful situation seemed easily resolved.