The Chacma Baboons of Kommetjie
"Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough.
We have a higher mission - to be of service to them wherever they require it."
St. Francis of Assisi
(1181-1226)
My home town of Kommetjie, Cape Town, South Africa, is also home to a couple of troops of the Chacma
Baboon. Unfortunately because of lack of space left for them on the mountainside, where they
used to be at peace, the future of the Chacma Baboons hangs in the balance.
Jenni Trethowan, a very dear friend of mine formed an organisation called "Baboon Matters" to help
protect and manage the Kommetjie troops. Since I left, Jenni has kept me up to date with the goings
on of the Baboons. Knowing about the work I do, she has always been very supportive and takes
my advice to heart. Recently she told me this amazing story, which I had to share, to show people
that even animals in the wild connect with, and understand us.
"Njelo and his offspring"
This is Jenni's story:
"I think I told you about the mommy who was killed by the Rottweiler, and we put her
baby back with the troop - big mistake as the female surrogate was not lactating and so
baby was starving to death. On Monday afternoon in howling winds and driving rain we tried a
rescue but the young protector ran off with the baby. Tuesday we went back and I decided to
speak to the babs. I spoke to Njelo first and I just knew that he was not going to fight
for the baby - he accepted what I said. I then spoke to the surrogate.
Wynts, it was amazing she was sitting a few feet from me. I told her
"Mommy, I know how hard you are trying and how much you love baby, but he is sick
and he is not getting milk. If you give baby to me I will make him safe, I will
love him and feed him, trust me mommy" I spoke to her like that for a while - a few minutes
- just ignored everything else - the building site and workers and just looked into her
and spoke and Wynts she did the most unheard of thing she took the baby off her chest and
laid him at my feet and got up and walked off!!!!"
Unfortunately the baby did not survive, but an aside is that the monitors think I'm a Sangoma
or something - Aaron's eyes
nearly fell out of his head and he kept giving me sideways looks all day!"
Njelo is one of the big male baboons of the troop, and the monitors are a few wonderful people
who track the baboons all day, to make sure they stay out of the village where they are in
danger of being shot at by irate humans. Recently the Police have been given the go-ahead by
the powers that be
to shoot any large male baboon found in one of the villages near Kommetjie.
"George, one of the large males in danger of being shot"
Unfortunately unlike the baboons, us humans are not happy
to share the land, we believe we have ownership of it. We build our houses, put up a wall or fence
and expect uninvited guests to keep out. These days, in that part of the Cape, the univited
guests tend to be baboons looking
for food and space, putting themselves and their offspring in danger. They do not come to
threaten or hurt people, they just do not understand why they have to keep out of places where
they have roamed for centuries.
Baboon Matters relies a lot on public support for it's funds. They need money to employ more
monitors to keep the baboons safe. Funds are also needed to create public awareness of the plight
of the Chacma Baboon.
If you can help please send donations to:
Baboon Matters
13 Clan Monroe Avenue
Kommetjie
7976
Western Cape
South Africa
Spend a couple of hours in the morning, or early evening observing and experiencing baboon life
in the beautiful mountains of Slangkop.
Baboon Matters has now started taking people up to walk with the baboons
in their natural environment. It is an incredible experience, and I would recommend it
to everyone. The walk gives you a different perspective of the baboons and you
will get a feeling of what special beings they are.
For more information please e-mail Jenni at
jennit@cybersmart.co.za
or call the Baboon Matters office on +27 (0)21 782 2015
