BURGERSFORT – “Baboons are not the problem, they are the victims.”
This is according to Mr Gregg Mitchell, a nature conservationist at DIY Wild at Badplaas.
Anyone who is familiar with the surroundings of the town, will be acquainted with the group of baboons located in the area called “the cutting”.
This is the ridge dividing the outskirts of the town from the farming area.
Baboons can be seen here at almost any time of the day, but their peak times are from 17:00 till dark and early mornings. The reason being that motorists started feeding them.
Every time a vehicle stops in the cutting, the baboons come down to see if they can get a quick snack. Mitchell said this has become a serious issue. “The main thing to remember is that the animal is not the problem, the human is. Baboons are opportunistic hunters, if they find an easy meal they will definitely go for it.
“The baboons will, as already seen, start moving closer to town. It is important that people realise that it is illegal to feed wild baboons and is punishable with a fine or imprisonment.”
He added that if the baboons become a problem, nature conservation would have to step in and kill them. The animal would suffer for what mankind has caused. Mitchell pleaded with people not to feed any wild baboons or animals.
