The human-baboon interface in a tolerant urban community

Conflict between people and wildlife in urban spaces is increasing worldwide as cities expand and natural habitat is fragmented and transformed. In South Africa, such conflict is exemplified by human-baboon interactions in... [ view full abstract ]

Conflict between people and wildlife in urban spaces is increasing worldwide as cities expand and natural habitat is fragmented and transformed. In South Africa, such conflict is exemplified by human-baboon interactions in residential areas. Management typically seeks to reduce the spatial overlap between people and baboons through a combination of lethal and non-lethal methods. In sharp contrast, the coastal village of Rooiels in the Western Cape Province has chosen to share space with the local baboon troop. Rooiels is a registered urban conservancy, which prides itself on maintaining a minimal environmental footprint to sustain local flora and fauna. Through resident-led, informal education, an emphasis is placed on tolerance and homeowner vigilance to reduce the potential associated costs of living with baboons. In this study we explore the spatial and behavioral ecology of the Rooiels troop with a particular focus on temporal and spatial patterns of resource use within the village.  In addition, we investigate the human dimensions of this coexistence through surveys with local residents.  Our results reveal that the village lies within the core of the troop’s home range with the troop visiting almost daily across all seasons. Due to resident awareness and preventative measures, house-raiding events are rare and human foods do not make up a significant portion of the troop’s diet. Alternatively, troop members feed predominantly on indigenous fynbos and grasses around properties.  In addition to foraging opportunities, the village provides easy access to water, thermoregulatory benefits provided by urban structures and potential predator avoidance.Most residents do not consider baboons a threat but rather hold positive attitudes towards them and consider them an asset to the community. We discuss the applicability of this coexistence model to other urban areas and human-wildlife management more generally.