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Baboons Are Locals
Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond baboon troops are one and the same. Today we responded to another call-out that a baboon troop was inside the residential area of Palmiet village. We soon found them walking through people’s yards, feeding on fruiting trees and foraging on lawns. We have been with them pretty much every day for the last couple of weeks. They are very relaxed around us and we are getting to know individuals.
and went back up into the mountain.
One very positive outcome of todays visit was that we confirmed 100% that this was the very same troop that has been in the Sunny Seas area.
There is a Palmiet WhatsApp baboon alert group which seemed pretty effective in relaying the whereabouts of the visitors and after discussion with one resident an idea came to mind whereby a community, such as Palmiet, Sunny Seas, Jock’s Bay or the Caltex garage area in Betty’s Bay for example could each have a dedicated baboon-only siren/whistle to alert residents in the area.
This would have to be manned of course by someone. What do you all think of that idea?
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- Written by Reneé Bish
- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 473
Baboons, fire and food
Betty’s Bay neighbourhoods are experiencing lots of visits from the baboons since the fire. I urge you all to read this article written by Jocelyn Mormet , who has been studying the baboon troop in Rooi Els. I have visited many homes, especially in the Sunny Seas area, who are upset with the amount on visitations they are getting.
Almost everyone I have been to has some kind of food out for the birds, mongoose or porcupines. They say they are not feeding the baboons—however baboons are omnivores - they eat anything! They love bird seed, they love porcupine veggies and they don’t mind eating mongoose meat! There is so much food out there for these animals. Have you seen a skinny baboon in our troop? Do they have lots of babies? Wild food has less calories so they’ll be occupied for longer if they forage naturally.
Please also encourange neighbours not to feed any animals. We are in the process of setting up a Betty’s Bay Baboon Action Group. In the meantime please do not hurt these animals. We live in a Biosphere Reserve and they are important to our eco system. They are also a lot of fun to watch. Go outside and just walk with them!
All photos ©Pete Oxford http://peteoxford.com
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- Written by Reneé Bish
- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 442
White-fronted bee-eaters
I had a brief but fortuitous visit yesterday to Harold Porter Botanical Gardens and came across these two White-fronted bee-eaters (Merops bullockoides). Rare vagrants to our area they are way out of range usually found much further to the north and east of South Africa. These two however seemed quite happy sallying for insects often returning to the same perch. Midday sun wasn’t the best light but great to see them anyway.
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- Written by Pete Oxford
- Category: Conservation
- Hits: 467
Open Meeting of the Community Police Forum - 19 June
You are invited to attend an open meeting of the Community Police Forum on 19 June at 18:00 in the Pringle Bay Community Hall. Make use of this opportunity to work together with the CPF team and SAPS in the ongoing fight against crime.
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- Written by Donn
- Category: Community Security
- Hits: 507
A Book Is Happening!
We need your Story:
THE FIRE of January 2019
How did it touch your life?
Send STORIES, PICTURES and VIDEOS to
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- Written by BBRA
- Category: Topical
- Hits: 410