Question 1

What should i know about baboons and pets?

Claire · Accepted Answer

Interactions between your pets and the baboons will largely be dictated by your pet’s attitude toward the baboons. Baboons are not aggressive toward other animals, unless they are seen as a threat. They may show curiosity towards your pet if it is not aggressive, or simply ignore it.

Rooielsers have reported that their cats and the baboons manage to coexist peacefully, with the cats either making an exit when the baboons are around, or happily sharing space together.

If your dog is non-reactive, the baboons will not harm it, and they may even have a positive interaction with each other. Baboons will generally ignore a barking or aggressive dog which cannot get to them, and simply walk past.

If your dog chases or attacks them, they will try to escape, but if this is not possible, they’ll respond aggressively and fiercely to defend themselves. Do not allow your dog to get into a situation where it can attack the troop – both the dog and the baboons are at great risk of being severely injured or killed. Several adult and infant baboons have lost their lives in recent years through dog attacks.

Check if the baboons are close by before letting your dog out. If they are around, wait until they’ve passed by before allowing your dog out. If your dog is already outside when the baboons arrive, take it inside. Don’t leave dogs outside for long periods of time, especially if you are away from home. Baboons will avoid fenced properties when aggressive dogs are visible and barking, but will still enter when the dogs are not visible. This can result in an altercation if you dogs encounter the baboon unexpectedly.

If you are out walking your dog, see the separate FAQ for how to handle it.

Dogs are more dangerous than baboons. It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog cannot chase or harm our wildlife, and to ensure that they are under control at all times.

Question 2

What should i know about baboons and pets?

Claire · Accepted Answer

Interactions between your pets and the baboons will largely be dictated by your pet’s attitude toward the baboons. Baboons are not aggressive toward other animals, unless they are seen as a threat. They may show curiosity towards your pet if it is not aggressive, or simply ignore it.

Rooielsers have reported that their cats and the baboons manage to coexist peacefully, with the cats either making an exit when the baboons are around, or happily sharing space together.

If your dog is non-reactive, the baboons will not harm it, and they may even have a positive interaction with each other. Baboons will generally ignore a barking or aggressive dog which cannot get to them, and simply walk past.

If your dog chases or attacks them, they will try to escape, but if this is not possible, they’ll respond aggressively and fiercely to defend themselves. Do not allow your dog to get into a situation where it can attack the troop – both the dog and the baboons are at great risk of being severely injured or killed. Several adult and infant baboons have lost their lives in recent years through dog attacks.

Check if the baboons are close by before letting your dog out. If they are around, wait until they’ve passed by before allowing your dog out. If your dog is already outside when the baboons arrive, take it inside. Don’t leave dogs outside for long periods of time, especially if you are away from home. Baboons will avoid fenced properties when aggressive dogs are visible and barking, but will still enter when the dogs are not visible. This can result in an altercation if you dogs encounter the baboon unexpectedly.

If you are out walking your dog, see the separate FAQ for how to handle it.

Dogs are more dangerous than baboons. It is your responsibility to ensure that your dog cannot chase or harm our wildlife, and to ensure that they are under control at all times.