Minutes of Meeting
Dispute Resolution: Baboon Mortality and Population Figures
City Parks Depot, Noordhoek
7 December 2012, 10am
Present:
Jenni Trethowan (JT)
Marlene Laros (ML)
Esme Beamish (EB)
Elzette Jordan (EJ)
EB noted that the aim of the meeting was to clarify any discrepancies that the Baboon Matters
Trust (BMT) claimed existed between the data that EB presented at the meeting held on the 12
November 2012 and data that (JT) had collated on baboon mortalities. The BMT was
represented by JT and Simon Jameson (SJ)
EB pointed out that the data set she presented at this meeting would differ from that which JT
had collated because her data referred to all 16 peninsula troops baboon troops while JT’s data
referred to the 9 managed troops. This was accepted by all present.
ML referred to the fact that SANPark’s management actions do not come through WAC (the
Wildlife Advisory Committee of CapeNature) and so might not be reflected in all data sets. EB
agreed as SANParks managed troops within the TMNP independently of WAC mortalities within
the TMNP were not necessarily reflected in all data sets. She added that for accuracy of data,
missing baboons were included in the missing/dead category and not in the management/dead
category until information was made available by TMNP. Thus the total number of deaths
recorded and presented was accurate but the cause of death may change as information
became available. This was accepted by ML, EJ & JT.
EJ noted that SANPArks had the right to withhold information relevant to their management
actions and thus if an animal could not be accounted for it was presumed missing until
confirmed as dead. Examples being: Bafana: missing for a year was presumed dead and is
recorded in the missing/dead category. Jesse: missing for a few months was recorded in the
missing/unknown category but he was identified during the census as being with Slangkop
troop and is now removed from the Missing/unknown list. .
It was established that any one (including activists) has the right to ask for information, but that
it should not be made personal. EB said that emails from certain activists targeted the
individual not the issue and that criticisms were often not factual but the activist’s personal
opinion. JT said that she was not responsible for the comments of any activists.
EB specifically asked to clarify the statement that implied that the authorities and the
researchers cherry-picked the data to suit their agenda. JT apologised for Simon Jameson (SJ) if
he gave the wrong impression at the previous meeting. EB replied that researchers were
accountable to their institutions and could thus only present verifiable data. She also noted that
activists often made statements that were not founded on fact because they were not
accountable to anyone. JT argued that if she made incorrect statements it was because she
didn’t have access to the information.
ML clarifies that EB’s role as a researcher is to analyse and present the figures. The
authorities use the data to inform their management decisions.
JT wants to know why the authorities withhold information. EB replied that when information
was previously shared it was abused. Activists and interest groups had misinterpreted the data
and made inaccurate statements to the media. Further, as the BMT and individuals had
interfered with management & research actions, the authorities felt it necessary to consider
the safety of their staff and thus access to information by the public was limited. Subsequently,
due to improved relationships with civil society, the authorities have made information freely
available on various websites.
The population data however is EB’s intellectual property and under copyright to UCT. EB said
that she submits an annual report on her research to SANParks as they provide the permit for
census work within TMNP. The population data must first be published by EB before a complete
data set is made available to the public.
JT referred to the fact that the BLG didn’t keep a tally of baboon mortalities or troop counts and
that the BLG should have these. ML requests that the BLG be provided with the information as
they represent civil society. EJ & EB note that the 2012/2013 census once completed will be
available and that mortality data are reported on the websites of the previous and current
service provider. It is reiterated that all information is now shared on the different websites:
www.capenature.co.za; www.capetown.gov.za
EB then reviewed the queries posed by JT at the meeting on the 12 November 2012 which
referred to the 2008, 2011 and 2012 mortality data and retributive killings.
2008: EB reported 48 deaths in 2008 of which 36 were human induced deaths (HID). JT stated
that the number of deaths in 2008 was lower. She reported 38 deaths in total and if corrected
for the non-managed troops and infanticides was left with 22 HID deaths. EB noted that her
figure of 48 deaths included all troops. Once corrected for non-managed troops (Plateau Road
(PR) and 5 Cape of Good Hope troops) her figure for HID’s was 17 even lower than reported by
JT. PR had experienced a mass mortality in 2008 recorded as missing/dead
It was accepted by all that EB’s figure was correct and that JT should refrain from comparing
dissimilar data sets.
2011: EB reported 21 deaths: 10 HID; 4 management euthanasia’s; 5 unknown deaths; 2 natural
deaths (ND). JT claimed 39 HID’s in 2011: comprised of 31 deaths excluding infanticides + 8
deaths caused by the BTT. These claims were shown to be incorrect: the claim of 8 baboons
killed by the BTT was incorrect and only 4 of these were recorded management euthanasia’s.
The other deaths were recorded under either welfare euthanasia, natural deaths or missing
baboons. Also 2 baboons were claimed dead by JT that were alive.
No other claims of death could be verified by JT and ML pointed out that JT’s claims were
incorrect. She said that JT should refrain from making statements when she did not have the
correct information as it questioned the integrity of an individual unfairly and cast doubt on
the validity of data.
ML requested that the managing authority (CoCT) publish the information to curb speculation.
This was agreed by EJ and once EB’s population data for 2012/2013 has been finalised Human
Wildlife Solutions will update the mortality record monthly. It was agreed that a distinction
between welfare and management euthanasia is maintained.
2012: JT queried whether all management/protocol deaths had been recorded. EB reviewed
the record and showed that at the time of the meeting 20 baboons were recorded as
euthanized under the management protocol between 2009 and October 2012 and 14 of these
were euthanized in 2012.
EB noted that since the meeting the 2012 figure had increased by 1 as TK10 recorded as
missing/dead had since been confirmed that he was euthanized under the raiding protocol
giving a total 21 baboon management mortalities to date with 15 of these in 2012.
JT’s record of mortalities:
EB went through JT’s record of mortalities and pointed out the errors in her data: 2 baboons
recorded dead that were alive (e.g. TK4 Blue & Orange); 2 dead baboons with duplicate records;
missing baboons recorded as management mortalities when they were either a natural death
or humanely euthanized (e.g. Danny).
EJ noted other discrepancies in JT’s data for management mortalities:
a) the baboon with the torn tongue should be accepted as a humane/welfare euthanasia
not a management euthanasia as claimed by BMT
b) Shaka dispersed from SWB and is missing. He should be recorded as missing/dead until
further information is available.
It was agreed that the management mortalities reported by EB were correct and concurred
with JT’s list once JT’s list had been amended for incorrect cause of death categories due to
lack of information and JT used the same categorization for mortalities.
Management versus retributive deaths:
JT did not agree that a retributive killing (HID) and a protocol/management death were
different categories. The other attendees did not agree with JT as they felt that there was a
difference in the intention in the two acts resulting in the death of a baboon. EB & EJ argued
that the managed euthanasia of a problem-causing baboon, was more humane than a HID by
poison/shooting or injury and a lingering death, as it was immediate.
JT argued that a managed mortality was still a HID and that if lumped together the number of
HID deaths for the period 2010 – 2012 would not be less than for the period 2006-2008. EB
showed from the data that JT’s claim was incorrect and that there was a reduction in All deaths
and HID as presented even if the management mortalities were included under HID. EB showed
the data set which supported this and also showed the figures when HID and management
deaths were lumped together.
ML pointed out that the number of all deaths is down for 2012. JT did not agree that the trend
was down. EB then showed the mortality data and confirmed that mortality had reduced for
the period 2010 – 2012 against 2006-2008 and that this was due to improved management in
the latter period by the new service provider.
JT took offense as this implied that management for 2006 – 2008 under BMT was not effective.
EJ and EB replied that this was not intended as the lower mortality was also due to more
resources being used on baboon management then were available to the BMT then.
The figures showing YEAR: number of deaths (HID + management) were:
2006: 24 2007: 15 2008: 36
2010: 15 2011: 14 2012: 21
Average: 25 deaths per year
Average: 17 deaths per year
ML concluded that the information as presented in the meeting by EB was correct and that
the discrepancies between EB’s data set and JT’s data is due to either JT comparing managed
troops against All troops or to JT not having the correct information.
It was noted that the BTT made information available to the BLG representatives and that
members of the public/ interest groups like BMT should ask their BLG representatives for
information.
Splinter groups and activists:
JT requested that the authorities engage activists regarding problematic animals as they might
have connections elsewhere, e.g. the 4000ha reserve in Montagu where baboons can form a
part of an education model. EJ noted that the BTT had already notified JT of their concerns
about the Da Gama splinter group.
Everyone agrees that splinter troops are a management issue due to their contribution to
population growth and pressure on available food resources and sleeping sites. It was agreed
that a protocol will be developed to manage splinter groups and that individual raiding
protocols should be reviewed as they’re living documents. The request is made that
information will be open up to the point where action has to be taken.
JT raised a concern about the high number of males being killed and asked if this would impact
on the viability of the population. EB replied that the adult sex ratio for the peninsula troops
was in the normal range however this was not so at a regional level where some troops have
high numbers of males. There was thus no danger that the number of males euthanized would
impact on male numbers and population viability. EJ noted that once an animal has become a
habitual raider it was difficult to relocate them as it just transferred the problem.
EJ noted that the BTT would look at transferring younger animals before they learn to raid from
areas with high male numbers to suitable receiving troops. In wild troops low ranking and older
males generally leave the troop, due to competition for available food resources and sleeping
sites and death by a predation is generally the result
CONCLUSION
ML concluded: That while the differences of opinion may persist with BMT, the information
presented by EB was correct and is agreed upon.
In future, management will post the information on the various websites. Queries should be
directed at the authorities about the available information and HWS would update the
available information on a monthly basis.
There is a wealth of information about managing baboons between those present and this
can add to effective management of the population.
ML also informed the meeting that there is a vegetable (feeding) patch in Scarborough on the
open land adjacent to the community centre.
…end/