Knysna Municipality Ward 9 Councillor, Mark Willemse called a public meeting on Tuesday, November 8 to discuss the issues surrounding the baboon encroaching on especially Ward 9.Knysna Municipality Ward 9 Councillor, Mark Willemse called a public meeting on Tuesday, November 8 to discuss the issues surrounding the baboon encroaching on especially Ward 9. The expansion of many residential areas bordering natural reserves has possibly resulted in a great number of baboons migrating into residential areas in search of food, often leaving extreme damage to property in their wake. The Knysna Municipality, being the local authority accountable to its residents and ratepayers is committed to facilitate responsible environmental management by implementing effective measures to prevent conflict between residents and Baboon. CapeNature however is responsible for the implementation of the Nature Conservation Ordinance, Ordinance 19 of 1974, setting the legal framework for the management of wildlife in the Western Cape. It is CapeNature’s responsibility to ensure that the residents of Knysna and the Knysna Municipality comply with the legal framework as set out in the Ordinance. They have undertaken to supply advice on managing human / baboon conflict situations to all affected parties. Richard Thorpe from the Knysna Baboon Action Group addressed the meeting suggesting several measures to ensure that the baboons do not enter properties. These measures included the locking of wheelie bins, only putting out refuse on the day the refuse trucks are due; not to grow vegetables or fruit, to keep all doors and windows closed; start baboon tracking social media groups to allow neighbourhood to know the baboons’ route; baboon monitors and signage to inform visitors not to feed the baboons. Currently the Knysna Municipality have employed baboon monitors who track the baboons and stop them from entering private property. The residents expressed their concern that these baboon monitors where often seen walking together. “The monitors do not simply chase the baboons but attempt to ‘herd’ them to the open bushy area at the end of Howard, Fraser or Wilson Streets,” explained Acting Municipal Manager, Bevan Ellman. “If just one monitor approaches the baboons they just scatter whichever way they want. With the three monitors walking together they can approach from different angels blocking routes into other streets, moving the baboons in the desired direction,” Ellman explained. It was the general view that the baboon monitors were having a positive effect and Cllr Willemse undertook to investigate the employment of possible two or three extra monitors. He further said that the paintball licenses that these monitors needed to fire paintballs at the baboons have now been granted. The monitors will soon be more mobile as bicycles have now been provided for them. The residents shared their concerns and possible solutions with CapeNature, Thorpe and Cllr Willemse. Thorpe undertook to reinstate the no longer active Knysna Baboon Action Group that was formed during 2014. This Baboon Action Group will assist the residents to ensure that an appropriate action plan is in place. “The Knysna Municipality is taking all possible measures to ensure that the baboon / human interactions are mitigated in a holistic manner and within a legal framework,” concluded Ellman. -THEGREMLIN