By Dave Harcourt •
September 4, 2009
This post consists of a few lines and a link to what’s happened since some of my recent posts where there has been significant action. Each item is identified and linked by the date and title of the original post.
July 2009 - Sable Antelope - One Sold for $ 385 000 and Giant Species Rediscovered in Angola.
Three more Giant Sable Antelopes, have been sighted in Angola. This brings to six the number of this rare species, which was feared to have become extinct, that have been sited in the last few weeks.
July 2009 - Mauling of Baboon by “Fighting Dogs”, Reopens the Cape Peninsular Baboon Debate
Two men were attacked by Pit Bulls in Ocean View ,the same Township in Ocean View this week, prompting a warning from welfare group TEARS.
By Dave Harcourt •
July 28, 2009
Chacma Baboon photographed in the Kruger Park, South Africa.
The difficulties stemming from the proximity of the troops of Cape Peninsular baboons and Cape Town suburbs is in the news again, in a really disturbing way.
Previous posts looked at the possibility of residents paying an increased tax to allow the Cape Town municipality to manage baboons, that are causing problems in Cape Peninsular suburbs and at the somewhat lighter story on a baboon that fell through a roof into a bath.
However, the close proximity between the baboons and the community has turned ugly in a way contrary to what one would have expected.
The Latest Problem
(NOTE: a GOOGLE earth clip at the bottom of the post will help with the South African place names)
Two teenaged boys unleashed their dogs on a baboon in Main Road, Ocean View not far from his natal pack in Kommetjie on Tuesday 21 July. He stood little chance, as he was 20 years old, had few teeth and had lost the strength of his youth. He was badly mauled in the attack, and rushed to a veterinary clinic. The dogs were initially reported to be Pit-bull Terriers, but were actually a American Pit-bull and a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Both dogs have a predisposition to attack other dogs and are totally fearless and loyal to their owners.
By Dave Harcourt •
May 11, 2009
Cape Town could be forced to increase its residential rates to be able to manage the conflicts that are developing between 11 troops of baboons and the Cape Peninsular’s city and town residents.
The baboons of the Cape Peninsular, south of Cape Town, are a real tourist attraction both within the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), along the roads that pass through it and at many of the landmarks in the peninsular. They are Chacma Baboons (Papio ursinus), also known as the Cape Baboon which are like all other baboons, from the Old World monkey family.
