More baboon monitors in Hangklip-Kleinmond
Funding has been made available from the Department of Local Government for training and the employment of 12 additional baboon monitors in the Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond areas.
Community members Siyamthanda Yalezo, Lwazi Busakhwe, Christopher Thomas, Andre August, Luyanda Mditshwa, Breyton April, Shaun de Bruyn, Bazil Swartz, Fiona Theunissen, Natalie Felix, Chinese Olivier and Angelo Jansen will be deployed daily between 08:00 and 16:00 as an extension of the current baboon management programme in the Betty’s Bay/Kleinmond area.
The Local Government Public Employment Support Grant will end in June 2022.
The project will kick-off in Betty’s Bay next week and the baboon monitors will assist with waste management monitoring, data collection of baboon proof bins, identification of fruit trees, open vegetable gardens and baboon/bird feeding stations that could be attracting baboons into the urban area.
The newly appointed baboon monitors will also focus on educational campaigns to provide residents information and advice on baboon-proofing of homes and surrounds, waste management and adherence to the Act and Regulations/by-laws of which residents are not always aware of.
They will be supported by two staff members from the Environmental Department, one of which will be infield with them daily.
Additional support will be given by Ward 9 and 10 councillors, Grant Cohen, Theresa Els and Stephen Williams as well as the Overstrand’s Protection Services and Local Economic Development Directorates
Please welcome the baboon monitors in your area. They are well informed to answer many of your questions and eager to meet residents and to share their knowledge.
This in an opportunity for residents to become more proactive in the way they live within a Biosphere reserve and to become part of the solution when it comes to the sustainability of the baboon management programme.
The monitors are wearing blue overalls and will have bright yellow/green bibs on. Each monitor has an identification card that were approved and signed off by Overstrand Municipality.
Feel free to contact Jill Hendriks, the Baboon Management Programme’s Project Manager and co-ordinator of this project on 028 316 4913 or email projectmanagerbmp@overstrand.gov.za with any queries regarding the baboon monitors.
