By Marthe van der Wolf
6 September 2007
To secure the effective management of baboons within the Peninsula, the city should grant R950 000 This is the advice from the Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee (PEPCO) to the city’s Mayoral Committee.
"There is a widespread concern about the diminishing numbers of the Cape chacma baboon. There are only 350 baboons left in the Cape Peninsula and we cannot afford to delay the funding any longer," says chairperson of the PEPCO, Brian Watkyns.
The fund will be used to monitor the three baboon troops north of the Good Hope gate at Slangkop, Da Gama and Groot Olifantsbos, as well as one of the Tokai troops.
Ward Councillor Nicki Holderness, has said that she is aware of the shortcomings of the Baboon Management Team (BMT): "We know that is due shortage of funds."
Table Mountain National Park wanted a part of the R950 000 funding to spend on penguin management. But the PEPCO didn’t agree with that proposal. According to the PEPCO the baboons are a key component in the fynbos ecosystem.
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