Aimee Bell
KVET STATEMENT TO ADDRESS FALSE ALLEGATIONS BY OVERSTRAND MUNICIPALITY
It has come to the attention of KVET that the Overstrand Municipality (OM) has made the following false allegations in the statement headlined “CAPTURE OF BABOON IN PRINGLE BAY”
“We observed that KVET (Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees) interfered in this operation by illegally driving the animal into the mountain. Please note that this is an illegal action as KVET does not have the necessary permits to manage baboons. They have been known to interfere with the baboon management programme for quite some time now and the Municipality urges Cape Nature to take firmer action against them than just a verbal warning. This interference was further confirmed by a resident in the area which stated in a message that KVET “has done well to change the behaviour of Blue Tag”.”
KVET has placed Baboon Information Officers (BIOs) in the Pringle Bay CBD since 30 March 2023 after the previous service provider walked off the job. Over this time the amount of time that the baboon in question “Blue Tag” aka Kanye spent in the CBD significantly decreased. OM is correct in stating that KVET does not have a permit to “hunt” baboons and thus the BIOs are not permitted to herd the baboons and are only able to negate incidents by standing between the baboon and the food source. KVET has also been able to observe, document and collect data on the baboons.
After this successful programme in the CBD, it became clear that the baboon had now turned his attention to the unsecured Overstrand Municipality dump site at the CBD entrance which is by all accounts a free-for-all feeding site for baboons (and other wildlife), a disgrace within a biosphere reserve town such as Pringle Bay. Due to this change in baboon behaviour, KVET has since the 15th of August 2023 in addition to 1 BIO in CBD, also placed 2 BIOs observing this baboon while he moves as well as observing him with the troop and a BIO team at the dumpsite, again to negate incidents by standing between the baboon and the food source. KVET has continued to observe, document and collect data on the baboons, an exercise that KVET deems vital due to the amount of unsubstantiated and false information being spread within the villages.
On the day in question, the 20th of September 2023 the KVET BIOs have timestamped photographic evidence of the “Blue Tag” Baboon. He was observed at the dumpsite when they arrived on duty at 07h40, he remained and circled the dump until 09h29. At 09h33 he crossed the greenbelt towards Caspar Road and continued to be observed around the Caesar Road area until 10h27. At 10h50 he was observed in the mountain area above Caesar Road towards the Brodie Link hiking trail. At 10h55 the one KVET BIO who was observing him was able to photograph him from Brode Link, he had now moved into private property and so at 11h05 the BIOs left the area as they could not continue to observe him as he moved further into the Private Property. At 11h42 while walking back towards the dumpsite the BIOs passed an OM Eco Ranger (ER) heading the other way (in the direction where the baboon had gone). At 12h21 the ER then came back down towards the dumpsite and asked the dumpsite workers if they had seen the baboon. At 12h32 this ER was observed scanning the Fynbos and staring at the mountainside evidently still looking for the baboon.
At 12h27 the KVET BIOs were located two at the dumpsite in case the baboon returned, one on Caesar Road observing for if he returned down the mountain, and one on his way to the point area to observe the rest of the troop. At 13h02 an Overstrand bakkie was observed entering Pringle Bay with a cage and all BIOs returned immediately to the dumpsite where further KVET volunteers and other community members and volunteers converged to observe what the OM was planning to do with the cage.
The OM vehicles, as well as Law Enforcement, one resident reports to have counted 22 Law Enforcement Officers, and at least 6 vehicles including K9 units in addition to the OM Senior Manager, Baboon Project Manager, the Senior Ranger for the baboon project and approximately 15 Eco Rangers (who could have been better placed monitoring the PB and BB troops who were left unattended), then proceeded to the Top of Carla Road followed by a number of concerned Kogelberg Residents, KVET volunteers and KVET BIOs. This group converged at the reservoir where the residents demanded to know why the OM was taking this action instead of focusing their attention on the source of the problem and making sure the dumpsite aka baboon feeding station was properly secured and no longer a source of attraction for wildlife. A number of ERs and Police proceeded up over the mountain apparently in search of the baboon and there are a number of photos and videos of this, all while the KVET BIOs and volunteers congregated at the reservoir and not one member was on the mountain at all let alone “driving the animal into the mountain” as the OM states.
Again, it seems that the OM is intent on sharing false information and pointing the blame to the residents, ratepayers and the wildlife themselves instead of addressing the real problem, the fact that they are completely incapable of addressing waste management in the biosphere reserve towns, at this point, the OM are “feeding” the wildlife themselves by allowing this free access to these food sources. Instead of spending financial resources and ratepayers money on bringing out a squad of K9 units, and multiple Law Enforcement and Traffic Police teams to intimidate residents who question their inhumane actions the OM should be spending the money on cleaning up their act with regards to waste, enough is enough!
KVET: Number of incidents in PB CBD has decreased – Statement in the Overstrand Herald
Statement by Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees issued 06 September 2023
A letter from the Overstrand Municipality (OM) has been received in response to the letters by Cullinan and Associates on the 26th August 2023 and further letter on the 28th August 2023 which was sent in association with Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees, Pringle Bay Rewilding, Pringle Bay Conservation Group and the Betty’s Bay Baboon Action Group.
Cullinan and Associates Letter 26th August 2023 – https://emsfoundation.org.za/urgent-legal-objection-to-the-overstrand-municipality-threat-of-the-forced-removal-of-blue-tag-baboon-from-pringle-bay/
Cullinan and Associates Letter 28th August 2023 – https://emsfoundation.org.za/pringle-bay-baboon-management-an-urgent-request-for-public-consultation/
The letter from Mr. DGI O’Neill OM Municipal Manager:
PRINGLE BAY BABOON MANAGEMENT: MEDIA STATEMENT REGARDING REMOVAL OF “BLUE TAG” BABOON FROM PRINGLE BAY TROOP
Your letter in the above regard, dated 26 August 2023, has reference.
At the outset we are not going to respond to each and every statement and allegation made by you and should this not be interpreted as an admission thereof, but rather a denial.
The decision to remove the male baboon, referred to as “Blue Tag”, from the Pringle Bay (PB) troop and to relocate him to the Gordons Bay (GB) troop, was taken after having considered the factual position “on the ground”, i.e., that he has, since his arrival in PB, not fully integrated with the PB troop in that he mostly moves/roams and sleeps alone. To this end this has been observed and confirmed by a ranger dedicated to move with him.
But apart from the above, Blue Tag has also, on many recorded instances, taken food from humans, entered motor vehicles while humans were inside, entered a room occupied by humans and also broke into and entered a motor vehicle and a building, which traits classify him as a “damage causing baboon” in terms of the Western Cape Baboon Management Guidelines – DCB Category 3, which Category in fact permits such a baboon to be euthanised.
In view of the above, the Overstrand Municipality has decided not to euthanise Blue Tag, but to return him to his home range in GB, in accordance with the Western Cape GO4 Guidelines for Dispersing/Displaced Male Baboons in Urban Areas.
We are therefore of the opinion that by having decided not to euthanise Blue Tag, but to relocate him, his wellbeing was indeed considered by the municipality, as required by the judgement of the North Gauteng High Court, referred to you in paragraph 3.5 of your letter.
We therefore consider this matter closed.
Yours sincerely, MR DGI O’NEILL – MUNICIPAL MANAGER
Herewith the response from KVET to the statements made in the letter from Mr. DGI O’Neill OM Municipal Manager:
1 – “he mostly moves/roams and sleeps alone”; It must be stressed that he is not the only baboon, or even male for that matter, that wanders off from the troop at times and he has gone to the same sleep sites as the troop regularly. KVET would also like to understand, how is full integration qualified or determined according to the OM?
2 – “entered a room occupied by humans”; It is important to state that KVET has been monitoring this baboon for more than five months daily and has no record of him ever entering a building including any shop or restaurant.
3 – “broke into and entered a motor vehicle”; It is important to state that KVET has been monitoring this baboon for more than five months daily and has not seen him physically open a door or window, not even in the CBD.
4 – “taken food from humans”; This has been noted in the past but since the KVET BIO Programme started in the CBD where attempts are blocked, he has been less present in the CBD and has more often been observed at the poorly managed local garbage dump and KVET has footage to support this. The KVET BIO team have further made huge efforts and strides in ensuring he is blocked from the dump which has resulted in him being seen to happily forage in the surrounding areas with the BIOs as observers.
It is very important to note that it is not always easy to identify the individual baboons within the troop and residents and even the OM Eco Rangers can misidentify the baboons, even the four resident males. KVET representatives on the ground have seen and heard this happen and there have been false claims of the whereabouts of individual baboons on numerous occasions. We must therefore state that not all the obtained information can be taken as accurate. It is also extremely important to know if the OM have photographic evidence to back up the information as stated.
This baboon in question is a product of mismanagement by HWS who pushed his troop onto the R44. Once he arrived in Pringle Bay (PB) HWS management and monitors did nothing to prevent him coming into the CBD but filmed everything to build a case against him. There is a point of view in the management of baboons that some groups believe in one male troop for management purposes even though the correct male to female ratio is one male to 2.8 females. Family groups are integral to harmonious and stable baboon troops. We are already seeing calmer baboons without HWS in town, the Rooiels troop is the brilliant model we should be following in the biosphere NOT the HWS model.
There have been multiple observations of Kanye mating with at least one female in the troop in the last year and it is widely accepted that there is a good chance that he has at least one infant in the troop, and should the troop be left to sort themselves out the current alpha will most likely accept the other males into the troop. We must also understand that for the well-being of the troop, it is very important to have new DNA and bloodlines which is one of the more important tasks that Kanye has done.
Please note that if Kanye is taken back to Gordons Bay (GB), he will no longer fall under the Overstrand moratorium set by the mayor, but under CoCT which allows for the killing of baboons as a management tool. It must also be noted that NCC who is in charge of management in the GB area is not averse to using that as a management tool. We also want to ensure that the individuals and residents in the community who called for his removal understand that they will very likely be responsible and sign his death warrant. A very important fact and guideline is that Kanye has been resident in PB for more than 12 months being first observed on the 25th July 2022 he cannot be removed as he no longer qualifies as a dispersing baboon.
Kanye is settling into the PB troop and is integrated and mating with females. There is evidence and data that will confirm that the taking of food and incursion rate in the CBD by this baboon has drastically declined. He can no longer be considered the problem that he was. It is important to understand if it is the direction of the OM monitors to request that certain baboons continue to be ‘removed’; and we would like to understand the experience OM monitors are drawing on to reach such conclusions.
Issued by: Kogelberg Villages Environment Trustees
Website: https://kvet.org.za/
Contact: info@kvet.org.za
KVET PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2023
KVET PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY 25 AUGUST 2023
This press release is a direct response to the statement sent out by Overstrand Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill at 5pm on Friday 25th August 2023. Please read the statements in conjunction for clarity and write directly to the list of officials provided at the beginning of the KVET statement.
Statement by Dean O’Neill:
25 August 2023: Update on the Pringle Bay baboons Overstrand Municipality received numerous complaints about rogue baboons in Pringle Bay.
According to residents, there is one male baboon in particular, called Blue Tag, that has been habituated to such an extent that he no longer displays any fear of humans. Residents are “robbed” of their shopping as they exit shops, and some have experienced minor injuries after tussles with Blue Tag.
It has been established earlier in the year that Blue Tag is not a native of the Pringle Bay troop and migrated from its natal troop in Gordon’s Bay earlier in this year.
The Municipality is currently liaising with the relevant officials at the City of Cape Town to capture Blue Tag and to return him to his natal troop, in accordance with the G04 – Guidelines for Dispersing/Displaced male baboon(s) in Urban Areas.
At this time, we would also like to report that HKM1 has moved to Silversands troop on 9 August, and we have had no interaction with this male since it has moved. It was originally from the larger Hangklip troop, but we have no evidence of current raiding behaviour from it in the towns of Bettys Bay or Pringle Bay.
REM1 has become the Alpha male of the PB troop and although it is raiding in the CBD and residential areas and is teaching the juveniles these raiding traits, it will be very unwise to remove the Alpha male from the troop. This will disrupt the social structure of the troop and there is no known male at this point that can take over from REM1 in the position of Alpha male. The Municipality will keep a watchful eye on it, but not remove the baboon at this stage.
Residents in towns where baboons are known to be present are once again reminded that it is an offense to feed baboons. Also do not interfere with our staff working with the baboons and refrain from treating these wild animals as pets or family members.
Issued by: Overstrand Municipal Manager, Dean O’Neill
KVET RESPONSE:
DA Premier Alan Winde: winde@westerncape.gov.za
DA Minister of Local Government Affairs and Government Planning Anton Bredell: anton.bredell@westerncape.gov.za
DA Mayor Annelie Rabie, Mayor Overstrand: annelierabie@overstrand.gov.za; akorver@overstrand.gov.za
Municipal Manager Dean O’Neill: mm@overstarnd.gov.za Infrastructure, Planning and Environmental Issues Steven Muller: smuller@overstrand.gov.za
OM Senior Environmental Manager Liezl de Villiers: ldevilliers@overstrand.gov.za
OM Project Manager Baboon Management Plan Jill Hendriks: projectmanagerbmp@overstrand.gov.za
DA Ward Counsellor Theresa Els: tels@overstrand.gov.za
On December 23rd 2022, Overstrand Municipality sent out a statement declaring the removal/ relocation of 4 Pringle Bay “dispersing” male baboons.
KVET, a non profit, community-based project responded by sending out a worldwide press release to halt this action.
The EMS Foundation for the “advancement and protection of the rights and general welfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa for the purpose of alleviating suffering” received said press release and in itself responded with a Cease and Desist.
Until tonight’s statement there have been months of communications from KVET members requesting a meeting between KVET and OM to work together for the best interests of the residents of the villages and the various baboon troops. 2 weeks ago KVET was informed that communication between KVET and OM was closed and that no meeting could take place. This decision was mailed directly to KVET from the DA Ward Counsellor.
However, a group called Rewild Pringle Bay Baboons, (a group who would like ALL baboons removed, euthanised or kept out of the urban edge 100% of the time), of which our DA Ward Councillor is a member, managed to get a face-to-face meeting with Mayor Rabie and 4 constituents only weeks ago.
Mayor Rabie reiterated that no baboon would be euthanised or removed “ON HER WATCH” much to the horror of the group of attendees from the anti baboon group.
An agreement was made that baboons would be kept out of the urban edge 80-90% of the time but absolutely no methodology or verifiable data collection methods were discussed.
In the meantime, since April 2023 the KVET BIO (Baboon Information Officer) Program has been present in the CBD area of Pringle Bay on a daily basis. This program was set up to focus on the shop raids and the various complaints about food grabs from baboons, in particular “Blue Tag”, in the CBD. Today Blue Tag is extremely infrequently entering the CBD.
There is however no acknowledgement that over the past 5 months there are almost no food grabs let alone baboons nor “Blue Tag’ coming into the village centre? Where is the acknowledgement that the Overstrand Eco Rangers do nothing to stop any food grabs (just like HWS previously) but that the KVET BIO’s have single handedly brought the CBD back to a peaceful place to shop and stroll around in. The “Black Bag Shopping Initiative” has also helped many residents and visitors alike, understand that this is a baboon declared area and care must be taken with carrying visible food around.
KVET has kept a daily log collecting data of all baboon movements, incursions and food grabs but are unable to show this data to OM for lack of a transparent meeting. It seems that OM is not impartial and have only one agenda and that is to get votes and will make false statements to get those. It must be noted that “Blue Tag” did not arrive in Pringle Bay in 2023 as mentioned in the above statement by our Municipal Manager. He arrived in July/ August of 2022. He has therefore long passed the threshold of the G04 guidelines for dispersing/ displaced male baboon(s). He is now a resident of Pringle Bay. He is often seen integrating with the Pringle Bay troop as well as the Hangklip troop. There is video evidence of him mating with females and is therefore possibly father to one or some of the babies born in both troops in 2023. ANY ACTION TO REMOVE HIM UNDER THE G04 GUIDELINES IS NO LONGER APPLICABLE.
It should also be noted that “Blue Tag” has never been seen nor reported to have entered a residence or shop. He does however spend a lot of time at the Pringle Bay dump site. This is a waste management issue and not a baboon issue.
Statements referring to and regarding the term “interference” have been taken seriously by KVET and a definition of the word “interference” has been requested on numerous occasions to ensure that no person, resident or BIO working with KVET intervenes with any baboon management program of the Overstrand Municipality. To date no definition or explanation has been given. It is KVET’s understanding that all public area’s are accessible to all persons and residents of the Overstrand and therefore no laws are being broken nor is any “interference” of any kind taking place.
We, KVET, The Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees, once again, publicly, request an urgent meeting with the relevant parties of OM to discuss the baboon management plan in the Overstrand Villages.
Announcement: BIO PROJECT for the Betty’s Bay troop
KVET is happy to announce that as of 1 August, we will be initiating a BIO PROJECT for the Betty’s Bay troop.
This is an extension of the KVET BIO program which has been successful in the CBD area of Pringle Bay.
This 1st phase of the Betty’s Bay / Kleinmond project will be for observation purposes only.
PRESS RELEASE – KVET TO EXTEND CBD BIO PRESENCE FOR A FURTHER 3 MONTHS
KVET is happy to announce that the PILOT BIO PROGRAM which began just before the busy Easter weekend of April 2023 will be extended by a further 3 months (July to September).
A KVET presence will also extend to Betty’s Bay in due course.
The BIO PROGRAM was initiated in the Pringle Bay CBD area to ensure that baboons would not linger in the business district whilst passing through to their various natural foraging sites.
Residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors have all been assisted with the SHOPPING BAG INITIATIVE. This is a preventative measure against “visible food” for the baboons. Education regarding human derived food and the baboons has been a top priority and the BIO’s have handed out over 1000 black canvas bags and education pamphlets over the last 3 months. KVET would like to thank the communities in Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay for the donations of these bags without which the program would have not been as successful.
We have been complimented on how the program has created a much calmer atmosphere in the CBD and KVET has observed a greater awareness and mindfulness of the Pringle Bay residents.
We would like to thank our residents who have responded so positively to the efforts of KVET and our dedicated BIOs in the CBD. We aim to continue providing this service in the CBD so that our residents and visitors remain relaxed whilst shopping, food attractants are removed and the baboons are encouraged to stay outside of the CBD area.
Bird Feeders and the Biosphere
In theory, bird feeders are a pleasant addition to any garden. They attract wild birds and motivate them to stay near the property. Some people would say it makes up for the loss of habitat and food sources due to rural development.
However, bird feeders do have drawbacks.
One important adverse effect of bird feeders is he spread of disease. Bird feeders that are not regularly cleaned and kept dry can fester and provide a breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and Protozoa. Common diseases that can be present include salmonella, trichomoniasis, aspergillosis and avian pox. Many such diseases can affect people as well.
Bird feeders habituate wild birds, motivating them to stay on a property for extended periods of time. Sometimes, large groups can congregate and become a nuisance. There is a greater risk of them injuring themselves by flying into windows (as they have difficulty seeing glass), and they become more vulnerable to predation, either due to household pets such as cats and dogs, or due to wild animals that have become accustomed to their presence. All of this applies to both seed feeders and drinking stations.
Not to mention other animals may also be drawn to these features, including baboons.
A better solution is to plant natural vegetation that they like to use for foraging, such as berry bushes for mousebirds, Ericas for sunbirds, Proteas for sugar birds, seeding grasses for ground birds and so on. The best way to determine what kind of plants to choose is to observe birds foraging and identify the species that that they show interest in.
There are also many local conservation and gardening groups that can advise on indigenous gardens such as Pringle Bay Rewilding and the Kogelberg (Hangklip-Kleinmond) Garden Circle.
Natural plant growth is healthier for wild birds and less conspicuous for uninvited guests. The addition of a bird bath would also be a more natural option if you enjoy watching the birds in your garden.
By KVET BIO – Christoff Heidmann
Update on the Baboon Management Program – Statement in the Overstrand Herald
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE – HWS is out, now can Overstrand Municipality please listen to our needs?
WHERE TO GO FROM HERE – HWS is out, now can Overstrand Municipality please listen to our needs?
It is with absolute trepidation that KVET (The Kogelberg Village Environmental Trustees) find themselves being informed by the Overberg Municipality that they have cancelled their very important and public tender for the Management of the Kogelberg Baboons. This is a huge disappointment as it is such an important and urgent matter to be attended to. We have had so many failures in supporting and looking after our own environment and this is most definitely a huge opportunity missed.
It is very important to point out at this juncture that community meetings were called by Mayor Rabie to assess and allegedly work with the community and to listen to our needs. It was a resounding YES that the community asked for a community programme and Mayor Rabie advised the residents to meet with the relevant ward councillor to state what we want the community programme to look like and in full halls the community did just that.
KVET have worked relentlessly to bring stability to the management of our baboons by firstly presenting the OM with a very comprehensive proposal as to how it is possible to
manage the baboons with the support of the local communities, the baboons in our environment, and taking the initiative to bring calmness to the villages and environment.
This proposal was rejected as OM decided to go out to tender. In March a tender was issued by the OM for the management of baboons and KVET participated and presented a very comprehensive and financially viable tender to the OM based on input from Betty’s Bay Baboon Action Group (BBBAG), Betty’s Bay Conservancy (BBC) and Pringle Bay Rewilding
(PBR).
When HWS walked off-site in Pringle Bay earlier in the year following a dispute with the OM, the village remained in baboon chaos but had the opportunity to change the way the baboons were managed and treated, showing that local community management is a viable and better option to deal with the baboons. KVET stepped up and placed four Baboon Information Officers (BIOs) in the town to put an end to the issues of baboon activities in the town centre.
We have found that most of the residents consider this a very positive approach and experience. We must keep in mind that it is somewhat easier to sit at home and fight a furious battle on Facebook and be judgemental rather than to go out into the sun, rain, cold and wind to ensure that the human baboon conflict is kept under control. Now the OM has terminated the tender citing lack of funds. One could ask why they issued a tender which contained a lot of specifications that added to the cost thereof, if they did not have sufficient funds?
Allegedly, OM have decided to go down the route of mass employment of local EPWP (Expanded Public Works Programme) individuals. We are concerned as to the level of training in baboon management, the management of waste and the environment. This also means that our communities will be managed by strangers with no understanding of our villages, our residents or our baboons and all the relevant management of waste, etc that goes with such an endeavour.
KVET is still determined to be positive. We are offering our skills and resources to work with the OM in developing a community-based baboon management program. It is possible and has worked in various other environments and areas. KVET has valuable experience with working and training monitors. It has always been our approach and policy to employ local people and upskill and train such individuals in all the necessary skills required to enable positive and efficient management of our environment.
The key is management and training from local management that live within Bettys Bay and Pringle Bay.
Our biosphere can be leading the pack in a strategic approach towards managing the wildlife that forms an integral part of the Kogelberg villages.
Please put nature first and work with us to keep the wildlife in our biosphere.
Welcome to KVET
Dear Reader,
Welcome to our website.
The reason you find yourselves on this page is most likely due to a shared interest in living in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and all the wonders that it encompasses. You might also be wondering who we, the Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees (KVET) are and what it is that we do.
The Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees formed out of a shared concern for the well-being of Chacma Baboons in the Overstrand area, where their presence has become a divisive issue. We believe that by increasing awareness and fostering collaboration within the community, we can create a more harmonious relationship with these animals. By implementing waste management bylaws, enforcing proper baboon-proofing of homes and businesses, and strengthening gun and animal anti-cruelty laws, we can make a significant difference.
Protecting the Cape Chacma baboon in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance of the region. As an important keystone species, these baboons play a significant role in seed dispersal and controlling the growth of invasive plants, thereby helping to maintain the biodiversity of the region. Additionally, baboons are an important cultural and tourist attraction in the area, and their protection can contribute to the sustainability of the local economy. Moreover, Cape Chacma baboons face many threats including habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict, making it even more crucial to implement conservation measures to ensure their survival. Protecting this species in the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve is therefore not only important for the baboons themselves but also for the overall health and well-being of the ecosystem and the human communities that depend on it.
We welcome you to join us in our effort to create a better future for both humans and baboons for generations to come.
Nicolette Maritz – Chair
Kogelberg Villages Environmental Trustees
