By Jenni Trethowan | Founder Member
Sadly, the death rate of baboons continues to rise and this year there appears to be a sharp increase in the numbers of juveniles knocked over and killed by motor vehicles, disturbingly there have been at least four "hit and run" incidents where baboons have been left grievously injured and the drivers have simply carried on without stopping.
We have also seen an increase in the numbers of baboons having to be humanely euthanised after being shot with pellet guns; in fact every baboon x-rayed on the Cape peninsula has more than one pellet in their body. It is shocking that there are no prosecutions of offenders, despite affidavits and eye witness accounts of some of the shootings. The legal system does not protect baboons and we continue to advocate that it is safer for baboons to be out of urban, or human occupied spaces, because intolerance towards these animals is so high.
We look forward to seeing reports containing the annual count of the Cape peninsula baboons as well as reports from a leading welafe organisation detailing the numbers of baboons they have attended to in the last year.
We were devastated to hear that in a rural farming community an entire troop of baboons had been killed, alledgedly through the use of poison. Baboon Matters had the grim task of gathering evidence and uncovered the bodies of 13 baboons who had all died in close proximity to each other; it was heart breaking to uncover skeletons and remains of babies alongside their mother baboons.
We have been frustrated at the lack of action from the authorities in the allegeded poisoning case, had they responded prompty when the carcasses of the baboons had first been discovered, it would have been possible to identify the poison used and potentially get a prosecution; as it is the land owner, or his neighbour, has gotten away with the murders of at least 13 baboons.
Cases like these are cause for deep concern and sadness, it is clear that baboons are continually persecuted, but the pain and suffering of baboons serves to push us to work harder for betters laws, guidelines and management strategies.
We continue to advocate for non-lethal and non-violent management of baboons, on-going education and provision of welfare.
We thank you for your on-going support and look forward to report on our achievements in coming months.
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