Requirements

Land Size:

Generally, a minimum of 2,000ha is required for the release of a troop. However, this is also dependent on food availability. Baboons home ranges and daily foraging distances are determined by food availability with a much larger area being needed for more ‘barren’ areas.

Vegetation:

Baboons are ecletic omnivores eating specific parts of a wide variety of plant and animal species. Acacias provide year round food from flowers, green pods, dry pods and gum. A seasonal supply of fruits is desirable and baboons will relish ants, termites and grasshoppers. They are a very adaptable species so if the land lies in the historic range of baboons, then this is a good indicator that the land is suitable for them.

The Process

Upon identification of a potential release site, the release team will visit the site and determine whether the place is suitable for baboons. Things such as the availability of food and water, and of resources such as sleeping sites (large trees and cliffs) will be taken into account. Potential conflicts are also looked at such as the positioning of lodges, other buildings and agricultural activity on site or on neighbouring lands, and the presence of other troops (which can often be of great benefit to a release).

If the site is suitable and owners are in agreement then a release can be planned. Most of CARE’s troops are between 10 and 25 baboons with a troop being selected in accordance with the release site’s resources.

CARE conducts soft releases whereby a team stay and monitor the troop for at least 4 months. The initial job is to let the baboons become familiar with their surroundings. A team camp out with the baboons and conduct daily walks to orientate the baboons. Gradually, as the baboons become familiar with the area and location of food and water the team start to move further away and eventually become mere observers.

The Benefits:

When not managed properly, baboons can be a difficult species to have on a farm. However, they do play a vital role in the ecosystem, aiding in seed dispersal (including many seeds which are not spread by ungulates) and knocking down fruit and vegetation for other animals to eat (Slater and Du Toit, 2002). 

Many tourists are attracted by primates, and being South Africas largest primate, the baboons entertain guests on many game drives.

During a release, the release team are constantly on site moving around with the baboons, and the presence can be of great aid to a land owner. In 2007 CARE released a troop on MagNab Lodge and, due to our presence we deterred much poaching activity and through our own managed patrols, we have taken down around 200 snares.

We are also looking for a site to set up a permanent research site for students to conduct field work. This permanent presence will also be a valuable aid in poacher deterrence.

On the same farm, we have taken many of our students to the release site to view our releases, in doing this we have created a financial benefit to MagNab Lodge, with our students spending the night at the lodge on a regular basis.

Many of our releases receive television exposure and good publicity to landowners who are helping with conservation goals.