Analysis

Executive Summary
23rd April 2024

The baboon problem continues to worsen.

March 2024 saw record numbers of baboon sightings in all affected areas.  The trajectory for April suggests that it will set a new record high in terms of numbers of baboons spotted as well as home and garden invasions.

Of particular concern to residents is the growing number of baboon home invasions, which is already at record highs and continues to increase. These incursions are not only extremely frightening for those who experience them, but also frequently leave mess and damage to the house in their wake.

The baboons who find their way into the Longships East area are beginning to press further and further North.  Home invasions in and around the rugby field are on the increase and there is little or nothing currently in place to stop the baboons from continuing their move North through the green areas just beyond the rugby field.

Areas such as  Jument, Stableford, Pachena and Alsa Craig look to be increasingly at risk.
map
Interactive Map
An interactive map of baboon encounters in Plettenberg Bay reported by residents since February 2020.  Showing urban sightings, home invasions, garden incursions, dog incidents and livestock incidents.
Click Here!
Project-Dashboard-Template-Excel-image
Dashboard
Charts, tables and graphs showing baboon encounters in Plettenberg Bay reported by residents since February 2020.  Showing urban sightings, home invasions, garden incursions, dog incidents and livestock incidents.
Click Here!

Notes on the data

Data used in these analyses is sourced from the Plett Baboon Reporting Whatsapp Group.

The reports made by the public on that group are periodically copied into a database that feeds this analysis and then geocoded so that they can be precisely located and visualised on a map.  This process enables trends in baboon movements to be analysed and planned for into the future.

Copying data into the database is an ongoing and time consuming exercise. The database currently contains all reported baboon encounters from 23rd February 2020 to 20th January 2021 and from 4th June 2023 to 13th April 2024. More data is added weekly.

Reports recorded on the Whatsapp Group will continue to be fed into the analysis after the Plett Urban Baboon Plan is fully implemented, so that we can monitor the effectiveness of that plan and make properly informed tactical decisions when making any changes to the methods employed to keep urban Plett baboon Free.

Using The Whatsapp Reporting Group


Please continue to report any sightings on the Baboon WhatsApp Group. A Baboon Reporting WhatsApp group has been established for Plettenberg Bay. The intention of the reporting group is to make individuals aware of where the baboons are in town as well as collecting data on the movement of baboons in the residential areas. The WhatsApp group can be joined via the following link: Link to Whatsapp Reporting Group

  • Please use the report groups to report in the following manner:

  • The address where baboons have been sighted (Google pin would be helpful)tem
  • Are they in the road? In your garden? In the house? On a roof?
  • Was there any baboon interaction with people, dogs, livestock etc
  • How many baboons are there?
  • Are they male or female?
  • Adults or babies?
  • Are there any distinguishing features? Scars or marks etc.
  • Where are they headed?

An example of a reported sighting:
One adult male baboon in garden of 9 Waif Road. Scared off by banging pots. Heading direction Diadem Road.

One adult male baboon in garden of 9 Waif Road. Scared off by banging pots. Heading direction Diadem Road.