Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth Campaign
About UsWe are a concerned group of resident volunteers who are living in Simon's Town, the historical town, famous for the Endangered African Penguins of Boulders, the SA Navy and of course the charismatic Chacma Baboons!
We are on the tip of Africa, on the Cape South Peninsula, adjoining the Table Mountain National Park and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Background
We have different baboon troops that are in our area, all of which have 'Baboon Monitors' provided by the city, however, our smallest troop, called the Seaforth Troop was not granted their own team of monitors.
Because Seaforth Troop has no monitors they have no one to watch over them full-time during the day or to keep them from harm's way.
So in true South African style, we decided we need to try and help where we can, so we are in the process of starting up our own project and are in need of assistance to get up and running as soon as possible.
As residents living alongside the baboons and watching their daily struggles of surviving in a challenging environment, we could see we needed to step in to help these incredibly intelligent, sentient, and family-orientated animals.
They are a small troop, made up of only twelve individuals and an incredibly tight-knit family group that just adores one another!
Urgency
- The baboons are at daily risk from traffic, some intolerant residents, and other elements that come with being in the urban environment. So it is important to try and keep them out of the urban area and in the wild areas where they will be safer.
- This year we have lost two juveniles already.
- Our aim is to have a small team of men, who are already trained, have previous experience in the field watch over the troop.
- This is the trial/monitoring phase where we can gather more information to implement an actual on-the-ground strategy of keeping the baboons out of town. So it will be the first step in the process.
- Please help us to get our Baboon Monitor Program going, we feel we can make a big difference for the baboons, residents, the monitors and the surrounding environment.
- Currently, funds are needed for the trial phase of the program, in which we want to get a team started as soon as possible in shadowing the troop and gathering vital information on movements, behaviour, and their preferred range.
- From there we can coordinate and implement a long-term effective, ethical, and ecologically sound program of keeping the baboons out of the urban area with a skilled team of monitors.
- An effective baboon monitor program, coupled with correct waste management and information and awareness can together provide a holistic approach that is congruent with our Town's proximity to the Table Mountain National Park and being part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Cape Floral Kingdom.
Use of Funds
- Wages for at least two monitors (trial phase)
- Provide our ranger team with the correct gear to help them in the field
- Transport for monitors.
- Communications/airtime for monitors.
Long Term
- A holistic approach is needed to "manage" not only baboon behaviour but most importantly human behaviour.
- Along with the work that has already been done in the area around waste management, more needs to be done.
- We also need signs and educational boards around awareness and important information.
- We believe there is a way for us to work together on a project to make Simon's Town proudly South African guardians of the world's natural heritage.
- To have a community-based, Effective, ethical, and ecologically sound program for keeping the baboons out of the urban area with a skilled team of monitors. and community collaboration
Thank you for your support!
Please follow us on facebook: Baboons of Simon's Town
Connected Campaigns
Statistics
Fundraising target
R 45 000.00Donations to date
R 21 367.71Donor Messages
Anonymous
Thankyou for helping us save the baboons without the angst that they invariably generate
Ailsa
Anonymous
Great teamwork, Ash, Luana, Asanda and Nom
Dell Beissel
Let's keep them safe 💝
Anonymous
Thank you for all your hard work putting together this initiative.
Apex Shark Expeditions
A great initiative.
Cheetahrun 2
Anonymous
All the best for this worthwhile effort. Thank you.
Anonymous
Thank you for helping our baboons!
Activity feed
Ailsa donated R 500 via Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth
30 Nov 2023
R 500
Anonymous donated R 500 via Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth
14 Nov 2023
R 500
Dell Beissel donated US $ 29 via Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth
13 Nov 2023
US $ 29
Anonymous donated US $ 58 via Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth
12 Nov 2023
US $ 58
Apex Shark Expeditions donated R 1 000 via Baboon Monitors Simons Town Seaforth
07 Nov 2023
R 1 000