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Using behavioral studies to adapt management decisions and reduce negative interactions between humans and baboons in Cape Town, South Africa

Gaelle Fehlmann, M. Justin O'Riain, Catherine Kerr, Stephen Hailes, Mark Holton Orcid Logo, Philip Hopkins, Andrew King Orcid Logo

Conservation Science and Practice

Swansea University Authors: Gaelle Fehlmann, Catherine Kerr, Mark Holton Orcid Logo, Philip Hopkins, Andrew King Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1111/csp2.12948

Abstract

Understanding the behavioral ecology of wildlife that experiences negative interactions with humans and the outcome of any wildlife management intervention is essential. In the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) search for anthropogenic food sources in both urban and agricu...

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Published in: Conservation Science and Practice
ISSN: 2578-4854 2578-4854
Published: Wiley 2023
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63513
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Abstract: Understanding the behavioral ecology of wildlife that experiences negative interactions with humans and the outcome of any wildlife management intervention is essential. In the Cape Peninsula, South Africa, chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) search for anthropogenic food sources in both urban and agricultural areas. In response, the city of Cape Town and private farmers employ “rangers” to keep baboons within the Table Mountain National Park. In this study, we investigated the success of rangers' intervention in keeping baboons in their natural habitat. Based on our findings in year one, we recommended adjustments to the rangers' management strategy in year two. We recommended improved consensus of actions toward baboons (that is, when/where to herd them), and the construction of a baboon-proof fence around one of the farms that provided a corridor to urban areas. During the 2 months following recommendations, these interventions combined resulted in a significant reduction in the time baboons spent in both urban and agricultural land. Our case study illustrates the importance of integrating research findings into ongoing management actions to improve both human livelihoods and baboon conservation through an adaptive management framework. We expect similar approaches to be beneficial in a wide range of species and contexts.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: Association for the Study of AnimalBehaviour; Swansea University, Ministerium für Wissenschaft, Forschungund Kunst Baden-Württemberg;Universität Konstanz

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