Residents who live in baboon affected areas have the responsibility to practice good waste management to discourage baboons from looking for an easy meal.
The long and the short of it is, if you live in a baboon problem area, you must have an animal proof bin for domestic waste.
The declared problem animal areas are Voëlklip, Fernkloof (including the Golf Estate), Hermanus Heights, Eastcliff, Kwaaiwater, a portion of Onrus and a portion of Hawston as well as Kleinmond (including Arabella), Betty’s Bay, Rooiels and Pringle Bay.
What can you do to prevent baboons raiding your waste:
- Secure bin at all times with latch, strap, padlock or clip at all times
- Do not leave refuse (black) bags on top of or outside the secure bin in baboon affected areas. Any excessive refuse must be taken to either a transfer station, public drop-off or landfill site for disposal.
- Black bags may not be left on pavement.
- Only put refuse bags out before 07:30 am of the day of collection (not on any other day)
- Never leave any food or seeds on display that can encourage the baboons to enter the property, as will uncaged planted fruit trees, vegetable gardens and compost heaps
- Kindly advise and educate new residents in the area on the use of baboon-proof bins.
BABOON-PROOF BINS:
Baboon-resistant 240-litre Wheelie bins, with locks, can be purchased at the municipal offices and it will be delivered to your home. Bins cost R1 636 (the price is inclusive of VAT and is valid 1 July 2023 – 30 June 2024).
Alternatively, bins can be bought at any hardware store and baboon proof locks can be fitted, at an additional charge, on your existing bin.
Currently there is one private service provider in the Overstrand who can assist with transforming a wheelie bin to be baboon proofed. Please contact your town’s Baboon Liaison Group (BLG) for information.
BABOON BIN FINES:
According to the Municipal Solid Waste by-law, non-compliant residents living in baboon affected areas can be fined up to R1 500 after an official notice has been served.
Law enforcement officers will be following up on waste collection days to remind households who do not have an animal proof container to rectify this situation as soon as possible.
