Question 1

Are there more human-baboon incidents in holiday season?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The number of incidents where baboons accessed human-derived foods from houses, cars and bins was tracked for the period March 2017 - February 2018. 39% of all these incidents occurred in January 2018. The holiday period provides many more food opportunities for baboons to exploit. The influx of people means more properties housing potential food rewards, more people in town and bins filling up more quickly. In addition, holidaymakers are unlikely to be as well-informed and disciplined about avoiding situations where a baboon could exploit a food opportunity.

Mormile, J. 2024. An interdisciplinary study on the human-baboon interface in Rooiels, South Africa. PHD dissertation. University of Cape Town.

Question 2

Are there more human-baboon incidents in holiday season?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The number of incidents where baboons accessed human-derived foods from houses, cars and bins was tracked for the period March 2017 - February 2018. 39% of all these incidents occurred in January 2018. The holiday period provides many more food opportunities for baboons to exploit. The influx of people means more properties housing potential food rewards, more people in town and bins filling up more quickly. In addition, holidaymakers are unlikely to be as well-informed and disciplined about avoiding situations where a baboon could exploit a food opportunity.