Olifants West Nature Reserve has very kindly permitted the sharing of the following information, including tips and guidelines to secure dwellings:
The chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in camp need little introduction to our Membership and Users. The historical relationship and challenges that baboons present within a human intervened environment such as Ingwelala, have been well documented and detailed over the past decades.
Our own human behaviour directly affects the responsive behaviour of all wildlife we interact with, particularly the wildlife that passes through the camp environment. A Member recently suggested, as a reminder, to share information on managing the human-wildlife conflict as far as baboons are concerned.
Latch Windows & Doors
- Put additional locks onto sliding doors to stop baboons forcing them off their runners.
- Use round door handles wherever possible as baboons find these handles difficult to grasp.
- Install burglar bars and ensure there is no more than an 8cm gap in the bars.
- Blinds and curtains prevent baboons from seeing into your home – if they cannot see any obvious food source, they will be less likely to try get into your house.
Baboon-Proof Your Dustbins
Baboons are attracted to your organic garbage and may come onto your property in search of tasty treats. Remove the threat and protect your home from baboons by baboon-proofing your dustbins. Separating your organic garbage into a separate container, not accessible to baboons is a great way to repel baboons. If possible, keep your garbage bin out of sight). Secure your bin – baboons have learnt that if they knock baboon-proof bins over the locks may pop open.
Padlock Everything
Following up from point three, padlock everything including your bins. We know by baboon behaviour that they are smart, have nimble fingers, and can open unlocked cupboards and bins with ease. Make it difficult for them to access these items as this will deter them from coming onto your property in future.
Be Ready with the Garden Hose
Water is a big baboon deterrent and offers a cheap and effective way to protect your property from future baboon plunders. Use your garden hose or a big water gun at a safe distance to spray baboons on your property to chase them away. Also, try to use washable exterior paint so that dirty baboon handprints are easily washed away from your outside walls and fences. <
In a nutshell, and to re-iterate:
Prevent entry into your home:
- Curtains or netting prevent the baboons from seeing into your home – if they cannot see any obvious food-source they will be less likely to try and gain entry into your house.
- Use round door handles wherever possible as baboons find these handles difficult to grasp.
- Install burglar bars and ensure there is no more than an 8cm gap in the bars. You only have to install these on windows that will be opened in the daytime.
- Put additional locks onto sliding doors to stop baboons forcing them off their runners.
- Use round door handles wherever possible as the baboons find these handles difficult to grasp.
If building a new house: plan your structure to minimise the impact of baboons.
If a baboon does manage to enter your home:
Stay calm!
We cannot emphasise this enough! He will not hurt you unless he feels threatened or cornered. Make sure he has an exit route like an open window or door. Ensure no children are in close proximity!
If you are holding food, drop it.
In a wrestling match over food the baboon will win. Be confident – make a loud noise such as banging pots and pans, and as a last resort spray him with a water bottle.
Calmness and making exits available is essential to reduce mess and damage
Remember that most damage done by wild animals, occurs when they are chased out or off property. When they flee in panic, they tend to defecate, they forget how they gained entrance and make a new exit in haste, knocking over breakables, etc.