Watch: Baboon pulls off McDonald’s heist at Sir Lowry’s Pass viewpoint
A former police officer captured an unexpected fast-food robbery on camera while recording the scenic mountain view in the Western Cape.
When Jason Brown stopped at the Sir Lowry’s Pass viewpoint to take in the scenery, he did not expect to witness a baboon’s fast-food heist.
Sir Lowry’s Pass is a four-lane mountain pass on the N2 national highway in the Western Cape, reaching a summit of 460m above sea level.
The pass cuts through the Hottentots Holland Mountains and serves as a transit corridor that connects Cape Town and Somerset West to the interior Elgin Valley, Grabouw and the Garden Route.
Brown (55), a former police officer from Glenwood in Durban who is now living in Cape Town, says the viewpoint is one of his favourite places.
Popular tourist spot
It is popular with locals and tourists for its views over Strand and Gordon’s Bay, stretching all the way to Table Mountain.
“Many people like me stop to take pictures and videos and enjoy the view.”
Brown says he was taking a video when he noticed a baboon sitting on top of a tour vehicle with a McDonald’s burger.
“The door to the vehicle was open and he went straight inside, grabbed the burger and enjoyed it like he had paid for it, while looking at the views,” explains Brown.
He adds that moments later, a man believed to be the tour operator chased the baboon away.
Picnic area
Brown says that baboons associate people with food because people often picnic in the area.
“The baboons are able to open car doors, so it is very important to ensure that windows are closed and doors are locked, and not to show your food,” he says.
CapeNature, an organisation that oversees the natural environment of the Western Cape, adds that when baboons learn that food is easily available from humans, they will keep coming back — whether it is to a village, campsite or popular roadside spot.
Resourceful and intelligent
“Baboons are clever, resourceful and highly intelligent,” says CapeNature.
“They have dexterous fingers capable of unzipping, unclipping and tearing open almost anything — from tents to backpacks. No item is truly safe unless properly secured.”
The organisation advises people to only eat in designated areas whenever possible and avoid eating in view of baboons.
Tips to manage baboon encounters
- If baboons appear, pack up immediately and leave the area
- Store all food in lockable trunks or secure camping fridges
- Food can also be stored in the boot of your car; make sure all bags are packed away and not visible
- Use baboon-proof bins whenever provided. If none are available, do not leave any rubbish behind — take all waste with you
- When hiking, bring only vacuum-packed food to minimise the chance of attracting baboons
Brown has since posted the video on his Facebook page, joking about the heist.
“No mask. No getaway vehicle. Zero remorse,” says the post.