What should I do if I encounter baboons on my property?

If the baboons come onto your plot, make sure all your windows and doors have mechanisms to limit how far they can open, so the baboons can’t access the house.  Remain calm. 

If you are outside, and there’s no food around, just carry on with what you were doing, and the baboons will do the same. As long as they don’t see food, or a way to enter your house, they will move along when they are ready. 

If you are eating outside, get up, take your plate inside and secure the door behind you. It’s best to serve the food inside and take individual plates out, rather than set up serving dishes in an outside space. 

If they have already got their hands on some of the food, get everyone inside, and let them take the food. If there is a clear escape route, you can calmly encourage them to leave.

Do not panic, scream, tussle with or try to retaliate against the baboons – this will escalate the situation into chaos.